A new free newspaper has been launched in Jersey, giving the island its only weekly title.

The Jersey Metro is being published by the Guiton Group, which also publishes the Jersey Evening Post, and is in direct response to the launch of a new magazine by a competitior.

Months of planning went into the launch of the Jersey Metro, which has been overseen by JEP journalist Anthony Lewis.

The paper also took advice on the design of the new title from Peter Sands from the Editorial Training Centre in Hastings.

Anthony said: "There is a new weekly lifestyle magazine coming onto the market which led the JEP to re-evaluate what it offers to readers and advertisers.

"While in the planning stages we realised that this is something we should have been doing anyway."

The 32-page half colour tabloid will be available every Thursday.

More than 22,000 copies are being distributed, with 13,000 of those being delivered directly to households and businesses in St Helier.

It is also being made available on every Connex bus and at all the town's main car parks, together with various shops and newsagents.

Jersey Evening Post editor Chris Bright, said the Jersey Metro had been designed to complement the daily title.

He said: "The JEP is extending a proud welcome to its new junior partner, which represents a first in Island publishing and which we are confident will play an important part in promoting the revival of a vibrant, enjoyable and prosperous town to the benefit of the whole Island."

The new weekly focuses on news, events and issues which affect the people who live, work, shop, and do business in St Helier.

It has also developed a close link with the Town Hall and will feature news from the municipality, parish notices and initiatives from the Constable - the Jersey equivalent of a mayor.

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