Readers in Devon can now become part of their local newspaper’s editorial team with the help of their mobile phones.

A group of weeklies published by Archant has launched an ‘MMS The Editor’ service, and by simply texting in their photographs, readers could see them appear in print or online.

The innovative service means the papers get wider coverage of incidents – with readers on hand to snatch images before a staff photographer can get to the scene. Readers can also feel a closer affinity to the paper.

The service is now running in the North Devon Gazette, Midweek Herald, Sidmouth Herald, Exmouth Herald and Exmouth Journal.

Other Archant companies are already using the MMS technology for advertising and competitions but the weeklies in Devon are among the first to pioneer the texting of images.

Pictures sent to a specially set-up mobile number are received by Archant Devon web editor Sally Fairbrother, and each newspaper has its own text prefix, such as ‘PIX NDGA’, to indicate which newspaper the photograph is for.

The images are then sent to the relevant editors for consideration.

If they concern a breaking news story they can then be posted on online or published in the paper, or if they are of more general interest they can be added to an online gallery.

Sally said: “Where the pictures appear depends on what is sent in.

“They are moderated first and then the editors decide what goes where.

“It’s a way of increasing communication with the public.”