The 'Francombe & Salter Mercury' has served the residents of two South Coast resorts for over 150 years. Hit by both the economic decline and the advent of new technology, Duncan Neville, the latest member of his family to occupy the editor's chair, is struggling to keep the paper afloat. Duncan's personal life is in similar disarray as he juggles the demands of his elderly mother, disaffected son, harassed ex-wife and devoted secretary. Then Duncan meets Ellen, a recent divorcee, who has moved to Francombe with her two teenage children. Romance blossoms.