The John O’Groats Journal and Caithness Courier have a new editor.

Karen Steven, 45, began working for the papers in 1989 as a junior reporter before becoming a senior journalist and then sub-editor in 2002.

She is initially performing the role for a six-month period to see the titles through production changes.

Previous editor Alan Hendry has moved to a senior role at the head office of parent company Scottish Provincial Press after nearly 20 years in charge.

Karen told HTFP: “My predecessor Alan Hendry was the last remaining production editor in Scottish Provincial Press.

“With his departure, we are now changing the way we work so that the page layout is done remotely at SPP’s head office in Inverness while I do the text subbing. There are also significant changes to our off-stone times.

“I decided to undertake this new role on a six-month trial so that I could see the papers through these changes and so I would be aware of what the job would entail before making a long-term commitment.

“There are no changes to the look and content of the papers planned as yet; meeting the new off-stone times is a big enough adjustment at the moment.

“My aim, and that of my colleagues in the editorial department, is to implement these changes as efficiently as possible while continuing to produce the quality papers that our readers have come to expect.”