Both have been newsagents for much of their working life and believe they can use their experiences to help others in the trade.

John (64), who has run the Wishing Well store in Newmarket Street, Falkirk, for the last 13 years. Previously, he had shops in Croy and
Glasgow, and now employs nine part-timers in his town centre newsagents.

Sisman's Newsagents was set up in 1950 by Sharon's dad and she has worked in the family business for the last 28 years.

Until January the shop was in King Street, Stenhousemuir, but due to the town centre regeneration, Sharon and her eight staff were forced to move to new premises in Hallam Road.

Sharon (43) said: "We shut the old shop one day and opened the new one the following day. It was a bit hectic but we managed."

The move was just one example of the hurdles faced by independent newsagents and the pair hope they can use their experiences to help others in the trade.

Sharon added: "It used to be that if someone wanted to buy newspapers or magazines they went to a newsagent, but that's all changed.

''Nowadays you can pick both up in supermarkets, garages, even Marks & Spencer.

"I've joined the national executive to become more involved in the trade. I'm fully aware of all the problems of running a newsagents and
I'm looking forward to having the chance to meet up with publishers to put across our point of view."

She was backed by John, who said: "There's an awful lot of red tape involved in the business nowadays, which makes it hard, particularly for the smaller newsagents.

"Our basic business revolves around newspapers, tobacco and confectionery, but people now have to look to other lines, such as groceries, to help sales.

''There are lots of problems and they are varied, but that's where the federation comes in to play as we can come up with advice or help.

"The future looks a bit hazy but I'm sure there will always be a place for newsagents."

One thing the pair are both agreed on, shoppers still make a point of buying their Falkirk Herald every week.

Sharon said: "It's just as popular as ever and the customers seem to really appreciate it now that it is in the shop first thing on a Thursday morning."