The editor of the Berwick Advertiser, Janet Male, is leaving the paper after 13 years in charge.

She will be moving from her Edinburgh home to Motherwell but as yet has nothing definite lined up.

Janet, originally from Abroath, joined the Berwick Advertiser as a reporter in 1971 before taking a career break to raise a family.

She later worked for the New Zealand News before returning to the Advertiser as a sub-editor.

Janet was promoted to deputy editor in 1983 and then took over from Tony Langmack as editor in 1995, becoming only the second woman to hold the position.

She said: “It’s been a tremendous company to work for.

“I remember coming to Berwick on my holildays when I was a little girl, seeing the newspaper office and saying I wanted to work there so I suppose it’s been a dream for me to be editor.”

Managing director Keith McIntyre said: “Janet has been a real stalwart of the Berwick Advertiser for the past 37 years.

“Her contribution from junior reporter through to chief reporter, culminating in 13 years as editor has been enormous.

“While we are sad to see a good friend and colleague leave, we wish her well for the future and thank her for her tireless dedication and professionalism.

“She leaves behind a terrific local newspaper, able to face the challenges of the 21st century and we thank her sincerely for that.”

Deputy editor of the Teesdale Mercury, Stuart Laundy, will take over as editor of the Berwick Advertiser and Berwickshire News in early July.