Editor Adrian Farmer was today beginning a new career away from newspapers, after 18 years working in the regional press.

Previously editor of the Belper News and Ripley and Heanor News, Adrian (pictured) has been appointed communications and outreach officer for the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.

He said: “This is a new post, and an exciting and challenging opportunity that I didn’t want to miss.

“I’m hoping I’ll be able to make a positive contribution to what is a very different set-up to what I’m used to.”

Adrian, (36), began his career as a reporter on the Ripley and Heanor News in 1986 and took up his first editorship, on the Eastwood and Kimberley Advertiser, in 1990.

Six months later he left the Advertiser to become editor of the Belper News – where he would stay for the next 14 years – and in 1999 he also took responsibility for the Ripley and Heanor News.

Adrian said: “The Belper News has changed big time since I have been here and I feel that, particularly in the past four years, we have really shaped it up.

“We have increased the story count hugely, introduced a new masthead, and during the past four years circulation has gone up by 30 per cent.

“Ripley is also doing well and I feel that I have been able to make a positive improvement.

“It has been nice, as editor, to have a full understanding of what’s going on in the town.

“After 14 years I feel I know how Belper works and where the stories come from and I hope that whoever takes over will be able to spend time here and do the same.”