An independent news title has expanded its editorial team while celebrating two publishing milestones.

The Isle of Wight-based Island Echo has revealed it has now published a total of 40,000 news articles, including 10,000 breaking news stories, since launching in 2012.

The Echo has published the figures after taking on its second full-time journalist in the form of David Couldrey.

David will work a late shift at the Echo’s office until 8.30pm in a move editor Darren Toogoid says will add “further resilience and enable us to cover more news than ever before”.

Darren, pictured, added: “Publishing breaking news isn’t as straightforward as one may think.

“In order to keep Islanders informed with the very latest, we operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and have done for over a decade now.

“We’ve built up strong relationships with the different services and have spent many an hour exploring tip-offs we receive from eagle-eyed readers.

“A recent expansion of the editorial team – which is now four journalists strong – has enabled us to cover more news than ever before, with emphasis now being made on more community and sport reporting – but breaking news remains a staple for us and always will.”