The North West Evening Mail is to get a new £5m printing press and press hall.

The new press will replace the paper's current facility, parts of which are 30 years old.

The project has been supported by Furness Newspaper's parent company, Carlisle-based CN Ltd, and has also benefited from a Regional Selective Assistance Grant from the Government.

Tony Raymond, managing director of Furness Newspapers said: "On a number of counts this is a great step forward for Furness Newspapers.

"The company will be able to supply its readers with significantly improved printing quality and more colour."

The building, training and logistical programme will start immediately, with an installation date set for September 2002. The Evening Mail's new press hall has a projected commissioning date of September 2003.

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