Insider Martin Hinshelwood was unveiled this afternoon as the new manager of Brighton and Hove Albion.

The 49-year-old, until now the Seagulls' director of youth, beat a number of challengers to land the job as Peter Taylor's successor.

And he vowed to keep prize asset Bobby Zamora, saying: "As far as I am concerned he is a Brighton and Hove Albion player and that's the way it'll stay."

Hinshelwood's appointment ends an 11-week search by the Seagulls to find a replacement for their Second Division title-winning manager.

Big names such as Steve Coppell, Tony Adams, Danny Wilson, Graham Rix and Terry Burton were linked with the post but Albion chairman Dick Knight decided Hinshelwood had the right credentials.

The new boss will work alongside Bob Booker, who will continue in the number two role he filled alongside Micky Adams and Mr Taylor.

The Sussex-based former Crystal Palace player has spent a total of ten years with Albion in two spells.

This will be his first full-time managerial post in professional football, although he has had three previous spells in caretaker control of the Seagulls.

He took charge for one game at Hartlepool in 1993 following the departure of Barry Lloyd, was again in control at Plymouth prior to the appointment of Micky Adams in 1999 and took the reins at Huddersfield last season after Adams left for Leicester.

When Taylor quit at the end of April, Hinshelwood immediately stated his interest in taking over.

He was one of the first men interviewed for the post and Albion turned to him again when an approach to Bristol City manager Danny Wilson failed last week.

Hinshelwood will take charge for the first time tomorrow evening when Albion visit Worthing in their opening pre-season friendly.

He comes from a family steeped in football tradition. Father Wally played for Reading and Bristol City, brother Paul played for Crystal Palace, son Danny turned out for Albion and now manages Sussex non-league club Selsey and nephew Adam is currently a trainee with the Seagulls.

There will be a special late edition of The Argus in the Brighton and Hove area tonight, plus a full report and pictures across Sussex in Tuesday's morning edition.