The editor of a seaside village newspaper is set to retire after 22 years in charge.

Jim Foster has announced he is stepping down from his role at Bayfair, which covers Robin Hood’s Bay, in the North York Moors National Park.

Jim worked as a Customs and Excise officer and spent 30 years in the Civil Service before taking up Bayfair’s editorship in 1995.

More than 1,000 copies are produced each month, with an extended print run in summer, with over 300 being sent to subscribers across the UK and around the world.

Jim Foster in Robin Hood’s Bay

The independent paper, named for Robin Hood’s Bay’s traditional Whitsuntide Fair, was founded in 1975.

Jim is now seeking a replacement to allow him to “retire properly”.

He said: “I have been fortunate indeed to have enjoyed two very different and satisfying careers. Life as an Officer of Customs and Excise was challenging and stimulating, with the opportunity to work in a variety of locations in the UK, from Dover to the Scottish Islands, in ports, airports, breweries and distilleries.

“The challenge of editing, printing and publishing a community newspaper each month has been stimulating and creative, with the chance to inform, educate and entertain a very focussed and high profile swathe of the wonderful North Yorkshire coast.

“In these days of mega media monopoly it is good to know that independent journalism is alive and well in Robin Hood’s Bay. Bayfair is owned, edited, printed and published in this unique village. I very much hope that with a new editor it will continue to thrive.”