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Free newspaper suspends publication after 30 years

A free newspaper has suspended publication after 30 years amid a review into its future sustainability.

The Mid Devon Star, which covers the Tiverton and Cullompton areas of the county, was originally launched in the 1980s and had an audited weekly distribution of 14,781 as recently as 2012.

However publisher Newsquest has now confirmed that it is reviewing the future of the title.

No journalist jobs are at risk as a result.

front-page-of-mid-devon-star-ribbon-cutting-page-001A Newsquest spokesman said: “Due to the ongoing challenges facing the industry, publication of free newspaper The Star has been suspended while we review its sustainability going forward.

“No journalist roles are affected as part of this review.”

The paper’s companion website middevonstar.co.uk is still being updated, but its Twitter channel @middevonstar has not been refreshed since early July.

When first launched, the paper was based in Tiverton and had an office there, but more recently it has operated out of Taunton where sister title the Somerset County Gazette is based.