A weekly newspaper has announced plans to raise £25,000 for a local hospice to mark the charity’s 25th anniversary.

The Derbyshire Times aims to raise the funds for Chesterfield’s Ashgate Hospice with a range of events and has launched its own fundraising beer at a local pub.

Editor James Mitchinson and reporter Jon Cooper are also gearing up for the paper’s sponsored cycle ride in July, which is run in partnership with the hospice, after both taking part in it last year.

To start the fundraising, staff from the title joined other teams for the hospice’s pub quiz night, which raised hundreds of pounds for the good cause.

Editor James Mitchinson, second right, is joined by journalists at the title to launch the Derbyshire Times ale, along with representatives of Raw Brewery and Ashgate Hospice.

Readers are being asked to come up with their own fundraising ideas to help the paper reach its £25,000 target.

James said: “We’re appealing for our readers to get on board with our £25,000 challenge by enjoying the Derbyshire Times ale and by setting their sights on taking part in the DT’s charity cycle ride in the summer.

“There will be other DT schemes and events to boost the coffers this year and if anyone out there wants to raise money with their own DT inspired event let us know and we will help publicise it.”

The paper’s fundraising ale has been launched at the White Swan pub in partnership with local brewery Raw.

Last year, the bike ride raised around £10,000 for the hospice with a 50-mile route around the Peak District.