As the Cornish Guardian celebrates its 100th birthday this week, staff and readers are looking to the future.

The area is set for major economic development and the newspaper will be playing a full role in the process.

Editor Alan Cooper said the paper was set to build on its role in the community.

He told HoldtheFrontPage: “Many of the standards set by the Cornish Guardian 100 years ago remain valid.

“We try to maintain a vigorous involvement in the local community by addressing important issues in addition to news.

“We’ve been successful with a large number of campaigns and fund raising appeals.

“In recent times we have tackled a wide range of subjects and this is something we hope can continue into the next 100 years.”

The paper was originally launched by Alfred Browning Lyne, whose mother lent him £500 for the venture.

The Cornish Guardian and County Chronicle were produced on a hand-fed printing press from an old store in Bodmin and circulated amongst the local community.

Soon after, Lyne launched the Newquay Express which quickly put rival papers out of business and funded a move to new offices in Bodmin.

In the period between the two world wars, new presses were added to increase the circulation of the paper and in 1938, Lyne sold the company to the Western Morning News.

He stayed on as managing editor, and when he retired in 1945, his son took over the position.

In 1965, the paper changed its front page format to include news instead of adverts and in the 1970s, the paper was bought by Northcliffe Newspapers.

Looking to the future, Mr Cooper said: “Cornwall remains the poorest area in Britain, in terms of GDP. We achieved funding from Objective One on this basis and that initiative will provide £300m for new industries.

“That is why we believe the Guardian begins its second 100 years in an environment of great promise for the people of Cornwall.”

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