Broadsheet regional the Huddersfield Daily Examiner is to publish in a new, compact size from April 19.

The paper announced the move to readers this week and unveiled its new masthead, which now includes a symbol of the town’s Castle Hill landmark.

The move follows market research from the Trinity Mirror title which shows that more than 85 per cent of readers either wanted – or would be happy with – a smaller Examiner.

It will end 152 years as a broadsheet newspaper, which with a circulation of 35,277, currently reaches more than half of the Huddersfield population every day.

The change will coincide with the closure of the Huddersfield print plant and a move for print operations to Oldham, which will allow more colour.

It means there will be more pages of news and sport in the compact edition, with a promise that going tabloid doesn’t mean going down-market.

Editor Roy Wright said: “Market research has shown an overwhelming demand for a compact Examiner.

“The new format will meet the needs of tomorrow’s readers with much more colour and new content.

“We are the market leaders and we intend to build on that strength.”

News editor Neil Atkinson said: “There’s no way the news agenda will be changing with the move to a more compact size.

“Some people are traditionally suspicious of some smaller national newspapers but The Independent and The Times have shown you can produce quality journalism in a smaller package – and we aim to do that.”

Sports editor John Gledhill added: “This is good news for all local sports fans. Sport thrives on colour photographs and this gives us the opportunity to present Town, the Giants and all the local sport in the same reliable and comprehensive way – but in a modern and attractive manner.”

Monday’s paper will include Examiner People, full of pictures from weekend events and a close look at what makes people in the area tick.

On Tuesdays, the At Home section will concentrate on DIY and gardening, and on Wednesday there will be a Family section for people of all ages.

Thursdays will host pages on fashion and beauty, with Friday hosting Weekend, concentrating on the arts and entertainment scene.

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