Readers have welcomed the launch of a new newspaper on the island of Orkney as a "breath of fresh air", according to Ken Amer, co-owner of the new title.

The first issue of Orkney Today hit the streets last Friday - giving the island a second weekly newspaper for the first time in 40 years.

And Ken, who is the brains behind the new title, says it has been well-received by readers and advertisers, with most of the 10,000 print run now sold.

He said: "Readers have been getting in touch by phone, letter and email to say how nice it is to see a paper with a positive outlook which has lots to do and lasts over the weekend."

Before the new newspaper was unveiled to readers, staff held a launch party in Kirkwall where Orkney's own Big Brother winner Cameron Stout was special guest.

Ken said: "Myself and Mathew Whittles, our pre-press manager, have known him for years and he came as a favour to us.

"The launch has gone better than anticipated, and we had more than 300 people come to the launch evening."

Now, after a successful start, staff at the paper are hoping to build on that and there are plans for a special publication at the end of the year.

Ken said: "We are always looking to the future and also plan to take on another pre-press person and an extra reporter."

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