A journalist is following in her late father’s footsteps by covering the town he reported on for nearly 40 years.

Kate Lockett has joined Cornwall’s Packet series as a trainee community reporter, where she will cover her dad Noel Perry’s old patch of Helston.

Noel reported on Helston for the West Briton for four decades before his death from cancer in 2013, aged 57.

Kate, pictured, joins the Packet after working at Helston Community Hospital for the past 12 years.

She said: “My dad Noel Perry was a journalist for 40 years in Helston. I was lucky to grow up watching and learning from him.

“Dad was such a big character in the town, and I am so happy that I can follow in his footsteps and make him proud.”

She added: “I am so excited to be able to follow my dreams, and become an amazing journalist just like dad was.”

Kate has lived in Helston all her life and will also cover other areas served by the Packet in her role.

Packet head of content Emma Ferguson said: “I’m so pleased to be able to welcome Kate to the Packet team.

“She has a great, bubbly personality and can’t wait to get out there into our communities to tell your stories in print and online.

“Despite working for ‘rival’ publications, I worked alongside her dad at a great many events and council meetings, and he helped me a lot as a young trainee journalist.

“It will be my absolute privilege to do the same for Kate and help her fulfil her life-long ambition. I know Noel would be so proud.”