A weekly newspaper has celebrated its 200th birthday by publishing a souvenir supplement to mark the milestone.

The Windsor Express was the brainchild of father and son Charles Knight senior and junior who published the first edition on 1 August 1812 and since then it has covered the reigns of nine kings and queens.

The paper has published a 12-page pull-out to celebrate its anniversary, which includes messages of congratulations from local mayors and MPs.

Reporter Francis Batt, who has worked at the title since 1978, was awarded a Royal Borough medal by former Mayor of Windsor and Maidenhead Asghar Majeed, to recognise his long service.

The supplement features the first edition of the paper as well as the two most recent ones.

Editor Martin Trepte said: “For two centuries the Express has faithfully served its readers by chronicling the events, large and small that have shaped our culture, community and country.

“To historians the Express is a unique and invaluable record of everyday life, a picture of the social history – the values and small details – that makes us what we are.

“But before something can become history, it first has to be today’s news and the Express is first and foremost a newspaper – whether in print or online.

“Every week its pages report the latest news – telling readers what is happening in their community, informing, shaping opinion and holding those in power and authority to account.”

Since it was founded, the Windsor Express has covered news from the Slough area and a separate Slough Express was founded in 1920, with Baylis Media acquiring them in 2008.

The company says the Express series titles have a joint readership of more than 84,000 each week.