LUCY Pearce has become the first female editor in The Argus's history after beginning her role on Thursday.

Miss Pearce was formerly head of content at the newspaper and has taken over from former editor Mike Gilson.

At the age of 28, she is also Newsquest's youngest editor.

She joined the newspaper in 2012 as assistant news editor before becoming news editor and then most recently head of content.

Before that, she was a news editor at the national and international news agency South West News Service.

She began her career at the Dorset Echo in 2009.

Miss Pearce said: “I am hugely passionate about The Argus and the community it serves.

"When Mike joined he said that we would be at the centre of debate and at the core of everything. He also said our journalism would be vital and trustworthy.

"I believe that under his leadership our team of talented and hardworking journalists delivered on that promise.

"I will endeavour to continue in his footsteps while putting my own stamp on both our print and online products."