The two titles will move to a seven day publishing model, with the focus shifting more in the direction of digital and away from print.

According to national managing director Mark Hollinshead, the decision is a further step towards creating "one of the most technologically advanced and operationally efficient newsrooms in Europe".

He said: "At the core of our business, the Daily Mirror is as strong as ever, with year-on-year circulation trends, despite widespread cut-price competition, out performing the market in 11 of the last 12 months.

"Today’s announcement represents an important step in meeting the needs of a multi-media publishing environment.

"The next 12 months will be transformational for our business, as we continue to grow our online audience, maximise audience delivery on mobile and launch new e-editions for tablet devices, in addition to further developing our newspapers."

Lloyd Embley, previously editor of The People, has been appointed editor of the Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror with immediate effect.

Hollinshead said: "I’m delighted to appoint Lloyd; he is an accomplished editor who has done a first class job on improving the performance and profile of The People, having spent several years on the Daily Mirror in a senior executive role."

Two new senior editorial roles have been created with an editor for the Daily Mirror (weekdays) and a weekend editor of The Mirror, which combines the editorship of the Daily Mirror on Saturday with that of the Sunday Mirror.

The changes mean the roles of editor Daily Mirror and editor Sunday Mirror have been made redundant, therefore Richard Wallace and Tina Weaver will leave the company with immediate effect.