Emma Silverthorne has been named as the new editor of the Sidmouth Herald.

The 24-year-old will be one of the youngest people to take on the role and the first woman editor in the paper's 153-year history.

She will succeed John Goodwin who is leaving the paper to join the Exeter Express and Echo.

Emma, (left) curently the sub-editor in charge of the Midweek Herald, joined Archant in 1999 after graduating with an English degree.

Her first job was as a junior reporter on the Midweek Herald which is based in the same office as the Sidmouth Herald.

She said: "I was a reporter for two years and in June 2001 I was promoted to sub-editor.

"Throughout the year I took on more responsibility for the Midweek Herald."

Now Emma is hoping she can build on the strengths of the Sidmouth Herald, which currently has a circulation of just over 7,000.

She said: "It is a really big challenge but I am really looking forward to it. John has been here a long time and will be a hard act to follow.

"We have an 85 per cent penetration in the town so we are quite successful but I have got a few ideas - it would be great to increase sales.

"It is quite daunting and I'm quite nervous but I have taken on lots of challenges over the last three years and this will be the next step.

"I'm sure I can rise to it."

Emma takes up her post on September 30.

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