September 10, 2015updated 30 Sep 2015 3:05pm

Bath Chronicle journalists launch free monthly sports magazine for West Country

Two local newspaper journalists have launched a new free sports magazine for the West Country.

XtraTime is an independent monthly title covering Bristol, Bath, Swindon, Gloucester and Cheltenham.

The magazine is run by Bath-based journalists Neil Beck, who left the Bath Chronicle in June where he was head of sport, and Andrew Kerslake who also worked for the Chronicle and has also been a local cricket commentator for the BBC.

Beck said: "With the World Cup just around the corner, the Rio Olympics on the horizon and the area's major football and rugby teams very much on the up, these are exciting times to be writing about and commenting on sport in our region.

"I have always believed that the West punches massively above its weight in that area and XtraTime cannot wait to showcase the achievements of sportsmen and women at all levels and across a variety of disciplines.”

The magazine will take contributions from local freelanes and will rely on advertising for its funding. Kerslake provided some of the initial capital himself.

The first issue was 84 pages and ncluded a guide to the upcoming Rugby World Cup

The magazine will feature interviews with prominent sportsmen and women including British Olympic medallists.

The initial circulation of 30,000 copies is available in 500 distribution outlets across the West Countr including sports centres, colleges, universities, cafes, bars, hotels and shops as well as sporting venues.

XtraTime is also available online and features audio and video content.