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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