Young is new Crimewatch presenter

She takes over from current presenter Fiona Bruce, who has been in the role for seven years and will continue to work in BBC News.

Ms Young, who currently presents Desert Island Discs on BBC Radio 4, will become the fifth Crimewatch presenter.

The BBC One show has been running for 23 years.

Ms Young said: "I'm delighted to be joining a programme with such a respected history. Sadly crime is a fact of life and affects us all.

"Being the presenter of a show which does so much to get justice for people affected by it will be a real privilege."

'Successful appeals'

BBC commissioning editor Ben Gale said: "Kirsty's journalistic background means she is highly experienced in dealing with live presenting, and the kind of difficult and emotive stories that feature in the programme.

"She has the combination of gravitas and warmth that Crimewatch viewers expect and we hope she will oversee many successful appeals."

Kirsty Young began her career in journalism on radio at BBC Scotland and has since presented for BBC Radio and Television, ITV and Five.

Crimewatch has helped solve several high profile cases, including the murder of Jamie Bulger, the kidnapping of Stephanie Slater and the murders of Lynn and Megan Russell.

This month, the programme generated a huge response after reconstructing the shooting of 11-year-old Rhys Jones in Liverpool.

Overall one in five crimes featured on the programme is solved.

Nick Ross left the programme earlier this year after presenting the show since it first started in 1984.

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