Alan Marriott has been appointed as the new editor of the Isle of Wight County Press.

Previously the paper’s deputy editor, he succeeds Brian Dennis, who has left the company to pursue other business interests on the island.

Alan, (45), has worked for the weekly County Press for more than 20 years, moving to the Isle of Wight in 1984 to join the paper as sports editor.

He has served under three previous editors, Stephen Rea, Peter Hurst and Brian Dennis, and was chief sub-editor and deputy editor for the past ten years.

Alan, (pictured), said: “The great advantage is that I already know all the staff here and I have a strong capable team around me.

“As with all newspapers we are facing the challenge of the internet, and we are meeting that head on with a freshly re-done website.

“The paper itself is doing very well and is the seventh highest-selling weekly newspaper in the country, selling 40,000 copies a week, and I intend to ensure that trend continues.

“It has a fantastic reputation and is read by 86 per cent of islanders.”

Robin Freeman, chief executive of the The Isle of Wight County Press Group Ltd, said: “Alan has been an important and effective member of our editorial and general management team for some time now.

“The County Press provides readers with the very best local news and information service available and we believe that Alan is the right person to maintain and enhance that service.”

Orginally from Chester, Alan began his career there, training at the Chester Observer Series where he later became deputy sports editor.

He is married to Judy, the County Press property writer, and they live in Carisbrooke with their three children.