The editor of The West Briton, Richard Vanhinsbergh, is to take early retirement.

The 59-year-old will leave the weekly paper at the end of the year after more than 30 years with its publisher, Northcliffe Newspapers.

He became editor of The West Briton, which publishes four editions covering Truro and mid Cornwall; Redruth and Camborne; Falmouth and Penryn; and Helston and the Lizard, in 2003.

Prior to that he had spent 18 years as editor of sister title The Cornishman.

In a memo to staff, Northcliffe managing director Michael Pelosi said: “Richard goes with our deepest gratitude for all he has achieved for Northcliffe during his editorial career.”

Meanwhile Andy Cooper has been appointed editor-in-chief of Cornwall & Devon Media with immediate effect.

The company’s core titles are The West Briton, Cornish Guardian, The Cornishman, North Devon Journal and Mid Devon Gazette.

Andy had been managing editor of the North Devon Journal for the past eight years.