A move back into branch offices is paying dividends for Norfolk Publishing as reporters, receptionists and advertising staff are now at the heart of the communities they serve.

A new office in Diss, where reporters from the Diss Mercury are based - opened at the end of last month.

Another new district office is planned for Cromer.

The Diss team, of two reporters, three receptionists and a seven-strong adsales team, have moved into their office which is right in the shoppingcentre of the town.

New services offered there include a cyber café, classified ad and announcements service, photo sales and a picture framing service.

Readers of the Beccles and Bungay Journal, Great Yarmouth Mercury and Thetford and Whatton Times also now see newspaper staff face-to-face more often.

The local offices also serve as branch offices for the Eastern Daily Press and Norwich Evening News.

Norfolk Publishing managing director Barry Dennis said: "Performance at new offices already opened - Beccles, Great Yarmouth and Thetford are already ahead of expectations.

"We have seen some big increases in BMD ad bookings and our Internet facilities are proving very popular.

"The opening of the receptions has provided the opportunity to exploit suchareas as our photographic archives.

"Beccles office was almost under siege when we launched our Christmas card range simply from the display in the window. A number of companies bought in bulk to use our cards for their corporate Christmas card."