Your Leek Paper has launched a 32-page glossy magazine as a spin-off to its popular weekly pages of history and nostalgia.
The quarterly Times Gone By , which has a print run of 2,000, sold 1,600 copies in its first month.
It features articles and photo graphs sent in by readers with pieces written by local historians.
The first issue includes an article on Your Leek Paper ‘s offices which turned out to be a former press hall – unbeknown to staff.
Staff reporter Shaun Lintern, 21, is its editor. He writes for regular sections such as “back to school” and “streets and places”.
Lintern said: “Originally there were just two pages in the paper, but we received hundreds of photos and stories and built up a backlog. It’s pleasing to be given the opportunity to edit something myself.”
Lintern set up and edited his own newspaper for the youth of Stoke on Trent, The Whisper , at the age of 17.
Editor Gary Shenton added: “Shaun really takes an interest in the town’s history and he seemed to get on with the old ladies very well. He even gets fan mail and phone calls from readers.”
Your Leek Paper was set up 18 months ago by ex- Leek Post & Times staff after the Northcliffe takeover. Sales were up from 4,060 to 4,900 in October and staff has grown from seven to 17.
By Sarah Lagan
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