An independent local news website has revealed a possible expansion after celebrating 20 years in business.

The Shetland News has marked its anniversary with a commemorative piece on the Independent Community News Network website which also revealed it has no plans to implement a paywall.

According to the ICNN piece, the News may soon be looking to recruit another journalist to join chief reporter Chris Cope in the newsroom.

The title, which currently employs four people, is funded by a “well-subscribed” voluntary supporters’ scheme, a BBC-funded local democracy reporter contract, and local advertising”, with no plans to create a paywall.

The News was launched in spring 2003 by journalists Hans J Marter and Pete Bevington, who left the partnership six years ago.

It revived an earlier attempt to create a Shetland-based online news service in 1995 which had been mothballed.

Serving an island population of 23,000, the site has a readership of between 40,000 and 50,000 unique users every week and attracts over 1m page views per month.

Hans, pictured, told ICNN: “I don’t know how many sleepless nights I have had over the last 20 years, wondering how to hold it all together, but also make it pay, as we all have families and had to earn a living.

“I like to pay tribute to everybody who has worked at Shetland News over the years, but most of all my thanks go to Chris, Clement and Susan who have all been working for us for many years and whose dedication to the job is second to none.”