Newspaper war predicted after new Welsh borders title is launched
A town in the Welsh borders is set to become the battleground in a newspaper war following the launch of a new free weekly title.
The Oswestry and Border Chronicle was distributed free yesterday to 15,000 homes in the towns of Oswestry and Welshpool, in direct competition with the Powys County Times, a paid-for title.
A local new blogger has predicted "blood on the newsstands" as rival publishers Midland News Association and NWN Media do battle.
As reported by Hold The Front Page, the MNA has recruited former County Times editor Graham Breeze as associate editor of the new title.
Breeze said: "This is a very exciting time for the newspaper industry in the Welshpool area. Readers can expect a new paper packed with news and sport."
David Williams of hyper-local community site www.mywelshpool.co.uk said: "It is a very brave move launching a new newspaper in this current climate. There will be blood at the newsstands."