Dear reader, it is an honour to write to you for the first time as editor of the Eastern Daily Press newspaper and website.

Eastern Daily Press: Mid-morning in Eaton Park. Picture: Kirsty SimsMid-morning in Eaton Park. Picture: Kirsty Sims (Image: (c) copyright citizenside.com)

As someone who was born in Norwich, grew up in this region, with family living in the city, Loddon and Beccles areas, the EDP has always been a staple of family life.

I remember my dear Nanny would be so proud if she or someone she knew made the paragraphs of the Beccles and Bungay Journal.

If those words and pictures also made it into the EDP, it was as if the Queen had come to visit and would be talked about for weeks on end.

Football-mad as a teenager, the first thing I'd do when visiting her and my Granddad would be to pick up the paper, turn to the back pages and find out the latest gossip regarding Norwich City.

And when I went off to university, the fortnightly packages containing the old Saturday PinkUns, along with any EDP cuttings that might be of interest, were something I always looked forward to receiving.

Two decades on, to be made editor of the EDP and EDP24, as well as our city title the Norwich Evening News, is something I've dreamed of since I was 16.

Eastern Daily Press: Seals at Horsey. Picture: James BassSeals at Horsey. Picture: James Bass (Image: Archant Norfolk Photographic © 2012)

My only regret is that those two loved ones, who helped ingrain the title into my DNA, are not alive to see it happen.

I can't wait to oversee the publications that represent an area I feel so passionate about (the pictures on this page show some of my favourite places in the region) and where I'm delighted to be bringing up my two sons.

In this new role I'm keen to communicate with you as often as possible.

Without you we are nothing and it's imperative you feel the EDP and its website is yours, with my team and I simply its guardians.

That is why I felt it important to begin the challenge ahead with this letter.

I must start by paying tribute to my predecessor Nigel Pickover.

Eastern Daily Press: Wonderful Wells. Picture: Ian BurtWonderful Wells. Picture: Ian Burt

It has been an inspiration to work for and with him for the past four years.

Rarely, if ever, have I met someone with as much faith in and passion for the regional press and this is undoubtedly what drove him to achieve so much during his fantastic career.

Like Nigel, I too have a great belief in the fantastic work the regional press can do for the communities it serves and hope this will come across in the printed pages of our newspaper and digital pages of our website over the months and years to come.

Having worked my way through the ranks within Archant and recently set up the company's dedicated Investigations Unit, I know the value of the EDP delivering news content which makes you think, tells you something you didn't already know and has an impact and an influence.

Good quality journalism and hard-hitting campaigns will continue to be at the heart of the work carried out by our team of dedicated and talented journalists across the region.

But this is only a piece of the puzzle and in 2017 it's my aim to ensure EDP readers, whether in print or online, enjoy up-to-the-minute breaking news, superb sports news and analysis, insightful opinion pieces, fascinating features, wonderful pictures and cracking videos.

Eastern Daily Press: Cley Mill from the march. Picture: David ThackerCley Mill from the march. Picture: David Thacker (Image: (c) copyright citizenside.com)

While I want the EDP to be the place where communities and individuals can turn in their hour of need, I hope we can also continue to share in your successes and spread the word about all the great community-led efforts that happen across the region.

Away from our content, watch out for some exciting competitions lined up for the new year and a host of money-saving offers aimed at making life that little bit easier.

There's no denying this remains a challenging period for our industry, but the faith I have in our ability to make a positive difference to people's lives is one of the things that gets me up in the morning and head to our offices excited about the day ahead.

As we strive to meet these challenges, there will be some changes to both our print and digital offerings – but I'm fully confident we will maintain our position among the best regional media titles in the country, if not the very best.

But please remember, this is your paper and they are your websites, so please get in touch and let us know of any improvements you'd like us to make.

Your opinion matters.

I wish you all a Happy New Year and a very prosperous and enjoyable 2017.

Readers' Panel

Set up in 2016, every two months members of the EDP readers' panel meet to discuss what we are doing right and what we are doing wrong.

The independent panel is chaired by William Armstrong, former coroner and High Sheriff of Norwich, and has so far been very successful in terms of highlighting areas we could improve and issues we should be tackling.

We are always willing to consider new people to join the panel and if you would like to take part, write to Sandra Mackay, EDP, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich NR1 1RE or email sandra.mackay@archant.co.uk

When you write, please:

Include your name, address and age

Tell us how long you have been a reader of the paper

Explain what issues you might like to raise and/or what interests you have

Normally 12 people will be invited to attend. Will you be able to attend every meeting? (It may be possible to rotate panel membership.)

Would you prefer to attend an evening meeting?