The Gazette & Herald, which serves the Ryedale area of North Yorkshire, began life in 1790 as the York Herald and County Advertiser, although the paper's present name dates back only to 1954, when the Yorkshire Gazette and the Yorkshire Herald were merged.

The last broadsheet edition was printed on 19 November with the new compact version launched the following week.

A launch party was held in Malton, a Ryedale market town where the Gazette has its branch office, attended by local advertisers and dignitaries, and managers say reaction to the size change was "very positive."

Gazette editor Chris Buxton said: "We set out to create a slightly up-market tabloid version of what was a highly-respected broadsheet.

"The aim was to modernise the look without losing the unique local feel of the paper. We're very pleased with the end result and the reception it has received."

The small Gazette team who put togther the tabloid version were helped by graphic designer Lisa Cook, borrowed from sister paper The Press.

Mike Brough of Fusion Creative Services in Darlington also advised on style and typography.

The new-look paper was helped on its way with a two-week promotion offering 5,000 fare-free flights with Ryanair and a series of sampling days in the five Ryedale market towns.

The initial favourable reaction from readers was borne out by the first week's sales figure, which showed a 7.1pc rise week on week and was 5.1pc up on the same week last year.