A new newspaper has been launched in a town hit by the closure of a weekly title earlier this year.

Independent publisher the North West News Group has announced the launch of the Dungannon Herald, whose first edition went on sale yesterday.

The Herald’s launch comes four months after Observer Newspapers, which was based in the Northern Ireland town, announced it was ceasing trading with the closure of 11 titles, including the Dungannon Observer.

The weekly Herald will be edited by Nigel McDonagh, who is also responsible for NWNG titles the Tyrone Herald, Strabane Chronicle and Ulster Herald.

He said: “The feedback we have already received, is that there is a widespread desire for a weekly newspaper in the Dungannon area, and it is now up to us to deliver on that demand and provide a paper which reflects all aspects of social, economic and cultural life as well as the many large sporting organisations of the area.

“We have a very talented team of journalists, who will be working on the ground to report the stories that impact on the lives of local people and also to provide a voice to as many of Tyrone’s -working communities as possible.

“While there are very many social media sites out there, we firmly believe that a quality newspaper remains the most effective vehicle for creating a real sense of community and that will be at the core of what we do, while also maintaining the very highest editorial standards.”

The Herald launched with a 56-page first edition and a cover price of £1.

NWNG also runs the Fermanagh Herald, the Republic of Ireland-based Donegal News and specialist Gaelic sports weekly Gaelic Life.

Managing director Dominic McClements said: “We are very excited and equally determined to bring a quality newspaper to Dungannon and the surrounding towns and villages.

“This company has a proud tradition of producing quality newspapers and we will bring all our expertise and attention to detail to the Dungannon Herald.”