Mr Higgins is leaving to take up a senior post with the paper's parent company, News International.

The Deputy Editor of the New York Post, David Yelland, will take over from him from Monday.

The newspaper changed its political colours at the last election

In a statement, Mr Higgins, 42, said it was time for a change in his life. "I have had the privilege of working as editor of The Sun for five years," he said.

"It's been incredibly hard work and I have had a wonderful time, but I am certain this is the right time in my life to make a change.

"I have been lucky enough to work with great, talented people at all levels and will miss all of them.

"I am sure they will carry on The Sun's fantastic success story and I wish my successor all the luck in the world."

His boss, the media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, praised Mr Higgins.

Editorial staff at the paper were said to be "surprised and saddened"

"Stuart has done a terrific job throughout his years at The Sun," he said.

"Stuart is a brilliant newspaperman with a great future and we are sorry he has reached this decision."

During his leadership, the Sun - one of Britain's most notorious and sensationalist tabloids - has been in intense competition with its rival, the Mirror.

Mr Higgins was considered a less colourful character than some of the paper's previous editors.