The director of an ancient Suffolk estate is set to move a few miles up the road - to run the larger neighbouring estate.

Andrew Blenkiron is currently director of the 10,500-acre Euston Estate in west Suffolk, which is owned by the Duke of Grafton.

But next spring, after 13 years in post, he will move to a new role heading up the 22,500-acre Elveden Estate next door.

"It's a big decision," he admitted. But in the end he decided to leave his current post after "a lot of deep soul-searching" and "lots of self-questioning about whether it's the right thing to do".

There was a point in a career where "you need a new challenge and test yourself to see if you can be successful", he said.

The 58-year-old admits it's unusual to find a new posting so close by - the two estates share a long mile-and-a-half border - but it means he can keep in contact with the many friends and colleagues he has made since moving to Suffolk from Crichel Farms in Dorset in 2011.

He was looking forward to the challenge of running the large farm and business operation at Elveden - which is owned by Guinness heir the Earl of Iveagh - but would be sad to leave his present job, he said.

He will become managing director of the Elveden Estate - a post last held by Michael Douglas who left two years ago.

Since then, the duties have been shared by board members James Buckle - who has focused on the farms and forestry operations - and Robin Howard, who has overseen the property portfolio.

"They contacted me earlier in the year and asked if I would be interested to go and have a look," he said. "Eventually we got together and came to a mutually beneficial arrangement which I'm excited about."

It will be a big undertaking for Andrew - who steps down in February 2024 as chairman of the Suffolk branch of the National Farmers' Union (NFU).

"The business at Elveden is an incredible business. Obviously the scale is enormous. It's the largest ring-fenced farm in England as a lowland farm.

"There are lots of other things going on there in terms of two pubs, a retail outlet, the forestry operation and the instant hedge business - all of which are pretty exciting to be involved in," he said.

"In terms of business turnover, it's five or six times more than Euston - the scale of land mass is twice the size."

Root crops are grown in-house at Elveden and across the businesses it employs more than 100 people.

"It's a different sort of job," said Andrew. "It's an exciting new challenge which I'm looking forward to."

Among his team will be Nick Scantlebury, who was promoted to farm boss towards the end of 2023.

The post of director at Euston was advertised on Monday.