A weekly newspaper has unveiled two co-editors as their long-serving boss prepares for semi-retirement.

The Isle of Wight County Press has announced current head of content Lori Little and audience and content editor Lucy Morgan will share the role when Alan Marriott steps down in March.

Alan, 60, is bowing out as editor after 39 years with the County Press but will retain an ambassadorial role with the paper.

Now Lori, who has worked for the island weekly for 21 years, will share the role with Lucy, who joined in 2020.

From left: Lucy Morgan, Alan Marriott and Lori Little

The move will see Lori and Lucy split early and late shifts, allowing them to run the newsroom for longer over the course of each day and also pave the way for a seven-day news operation.

Said Lucy: “Lori and I are delighted to be given the chance to take on such an integral piece of Isle of Wight history.

“The Isle of Wight County Press continues to be a crucial player in keeping Islanders informed and we will strive to do this historic title proud, embracing its future both online and on our newsstands.

“We know we have big shoes to fill – Alan has been such an important name in Island journalism for decades and moving forward, we’re thrilled he’s chosen to continue to represent the brand in the community, as ambassador.”

Lori added: “Despite being around since 1884 the CP has taken huge strides in recent years to modernise and embrace changes in how people consume news.

“Our digitally-focused newsroom has the biggest team of professionally trained local journalists of any Island media outlet and it’s an exciting time to be taking the reins.

“Lucy and I are sad to see Alan leave the newsroom but will follow in his footsteps as champions of Island businesses, charities, community groups, etc.”

Lori, who was educated on the Isle of Wight, joined the County Press in 2001 as a trainee reporter and went on to work in the news and features department before becoming head of content in 2019.

Lucy, who joined the County Press in March 2020, has been working in journalism for around 25 years, including at Isle of Wight Radio and Solent TV, as well as at mainland TV and radio stations, including a stint at BBC Radio Solent.

She grew up in Sussex and studied at Cardiff University and Goldsmiths, University of London.

Alan moved to the moved to the Isle of Wight in 1984 to become the CP’s sports editor and held several positions before he was appointed editor in 2007.

Following a 10-month spell as publisher of the Newsquest title, he returned to the editor’s chair in 2020.

Alan said: “I have had a great career in local newspaper journalism and have loved every minute.  The move to digital has been a fascinating experience over the past two decades.

“I have worked with some top journalists, not least Lori and Lucy, who will be great successors and will serve the Isle of Wight’s people well.

“I am looking forward to seeing them further accelerate our digital progression while at the same time producing superb County Press newspapers.

“It will be nice to take a step back from the world of work and enjoy my sporting hobbies to the full while I can still run about… albeit slowly.”