A weekly newspaper has retained its broadsheet format after undergoing a revamp as part of the Johnston Press relaunch programme.

The West Sussex Gazette unveiled its new look to readers on Wednesday with a range of new features and columnists, along with more pages.

As part of the relaunch, the title is also being printed on better quality paper in order to improve the quality of its photographs.

Johnston Press began its programme to relaunch all its titles last spring and the current third phase started last month with the revamp of the Yorkshire Evening Post.

A story on the Gazette’s website about its relaunch said there would be new countryside and village features and a range of new columnists.

Editor- in-chief Gary Shipton told readers: “We are delighted to be making major improvements to the WSG.

“These will all build on the paper’s renowned strengths. We are not doing anything radical – merely making it even better than it currently is.”

He also invited amateur photographers to send in their photos of the county for possible inclusion.

The paper claims to be the oldest newspaper in West Sussex after being founded in 1853 and is one of the few remaining broadsheet titles in the country.

Further titles included in this phase of the Johnston Press relaunch are the Buxton Advertiser, which is due to unveil its new look today (21 Feb), the Selby Times, the Sheffield Telegraph and Dinnington Guardian.

Johnston Press’ relaunch programme started last spring with the announcement that it was switching five daily newspapers to weekly publication and redesigning all its titles.

The programme was due to be completed by last November last year but chief executive Ashley Highfield announced it was being delayed until early this year to ensure its journalists had the right tools for the job.

The first phase of the programme saw five daily titles switching to weekly, eight broadsheets going compact, three North-East freesheets going paid-for and six East Midlands weeklies given a radical redesign.

Its second phase took place last October, with 44 titles being relaunched.