A former regional publishing chief has warned reliable local news will become “extinct” unless sustainable solutions are found to help the industry.

Geraldine Allinson has vowed to help regional publishers operating in “extremely challenging and unprecedented times” after being awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for services to local media in Kent.

Geraldine, pictured, served as executive chairman of the KM Group for 13 years before stepping down from the role in October 2019.

Earlier this year she joined the appointments panel of the Independent Press Standards Organisation.

Upon winning her OBE, Geraldine told the News Media Association: “For over 10 years now the people and companies that provide trustworthy local news to communities up and down the country have been operating in extremely challenging and unprecedented times.

“The way people consume news has changed massively but our need for reliable sources of information, in order to be engaged citizens, has not.

“Everyone working to deliver trustworthy news, whether in newspapers, online, radio or TV needs to be congratulated for their unstinting stamina to reinvent, adapt, innovate, streamline and support each other, particularly in the local news space.

“It has never ceased to amaze me how upbeat, creative and helpful colleagues can be while enduring what can only be described as very challenging circumstances.

“We all know the current situation cannot go on forever, otherwise local news from reliable sources will become extinct. Sustainable solutions need to be found to underpin the provision of reliable and trustworthy local news and I will do what I can to support this endeavour.”