A news magazine is back in print after seven years of being an online-only publication.

The Salford Star was relaunched in print last week, with 20,000 copies of the new 48-page issue, pictured below, being distributed.

The last print issue of the Star, which has a focus on investigative journalism, was published in autumn 2008 and since then the team of volunteers behind it have been trying to get it back into print by raising funds.

The launch of the print title comes after Trinity Mirror last month replaced the Salford Advertiser with the Manchester Weekly News, which is localised into eight editions, including a Salford one.

Editor Stephen Kingston said: “Every day that the Salford Star has been online, we’ve dreamed of getting the magazine back into print, and that day has come.

“The Star is needed now more than ever, with the local Salford Advertiser closing down.

“It’s vital that people have a voice and the information to challenge authority. It’s about democracy and accountability.”

Since it was last in print, more than 2,750 articles have appeared on the Salford Star’s website and the latest print version has come about after donations from readers.

The next issue of the Star is set to be published in September and further issues will depend on advertising.

The latest issue of the Star features an interview with Salford-born actor Christopher Eccleston and is being distributed to homes, shops, pubs and community centres.

Also in the issue are stories about a £19m ‘planning scandal’ regarding some new apartments and ‘secrecy and hypocrisy’ about a new £100m development.

It also includes a ‘Magic Mayor Healing Doll’, which readers can cut out and stick on their walls about various controversies involving Mayor of Salford Ian Stewart.