The Westmorland Gazette was founded in the early 19th century and has long boasted strong literary associations - the poet William Wordsworth was one of the paper's early backers and nearly became editor at one stage.

He stood aside in favour of Thomas de Quincey, author of Confessions of an Opium Eater, while in later years both John Ruskin and Beatrix Potter both wrote letters to the newspaper.

Last week's final broadsheet issue contained a souvenir special which looked back at its history and how it became an established part of Lake District life.

Now it is entering a new era with a fresh look which bosses say will make it easier to read and navigate.

Group editor Kevin Young said: "This is a big milestone in the history of a much-loved newspaper and something not to be embarked upon lightly.

"We carried out extensive research to find out what people wanted. One point made a number of times was that readers would welcome a format which meant they no longer had to lay the paper on the carpet to read it!

"Apart from the format change, we have introduced a lot of new content and our aim is to give our readers a much improved all-round package."

The new content includes new columnists, education and nostalgia sections and a back page digest, but existing sections such as the in-depth farming, community, countryside, business and leisure sections are have been retained.

The last ever broadsheet edition of the Westmorland Gazette published last week, which contained a souvenir special looking back at its proud history.

The new-look compact Gazette which went on sale for the first time today.