TODAY, the Salisbury Journal is proud to launch its new edition: the Vale Journal.

Serving residents of Shaftesbury, Gillingham and the wider Blackmore Vale, the weekly publication will be available to purchase every Thursday, full of news from the local area.

Publisher Bill Browne said: "Our newly titled Vale Journal is an edition dedicated to a region that is rich in news and community spirit. And for those who have known us for a long time, the truth is the Journal has never gone away, having first distributed in the region in the 1700s.

"The Salisbury Journal remains the third oldest regional weekly newspaper still in publication and it was first established in 1729. It has been in uninterrupted weekly print since 1736. Two World Wars and even a General Strike have failed to bring it to a halt. So, it is perhaps with no surprise that Covid-19 had no impact on us bringing news and information to our many valued readers."

Salisbury Journal:

Mr Browne added: "Our journalists have met the current crisis with a determination that has served our part of the media profession well over three centuries. Their reward is to see a readership and audience grow to a number that far exceeds anything the Journal has ever achieved before, with a weekly reach of 160,000 in April.

"We know there is a thirst still for trusted local news and that is why we have made the decision to produce a dedicated local edition of the Salisbury Journal for you. We hope in turn you will share your items of news with us.

"Welcome to the Vale Journal. We look forward to hearing from you."

Have you got a story for us? Get in touch by emailing editor@valejournal.co.uk, or by clicking here.

Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/valejournal