Alex Lavelle has stepped down from his role as editor of The Age and will leave the masthead after 20 years.

Lavelle has led the newspaper for the past three and a half years and helped build its audience to more than 5.3 million.

Michelle Griffin, world editor at The Age, has been appointed acting editor until a permanent replacement is found.

"It has been an absolute privilege to lead this great masthead and wonderful newsroom," Lavelle said.

"I am immensely proud of the extraordinary journalism we have produced and of the positive impact so much of our work has had. We have achieved great things together. To our passionate, talented and dedicated staff, I wish you all the best of luck and have no doubt that you will go from strength to strength."

More to come