The Teesdale Mercury is increasing its reach into the rural Durham Dales thanks to an innovative scheme.

Special Mercury mailboxes are being installed in outlets across the region, making it easier than ever for readers to contact their local paper.

The plastic blue boxes, shaped like traditional pillar boxes in miniature, have been introduced to create a new direct link between the Mercury and its readers.

Anyone with an item of news, photograph, report, comment or letter, can simply drop them into their nearest box, which will be clearly labelled with the Mercury logo.

Whether it is a front page lead, a letter - or a WI report - it can be deposited in one of the specially designed boxes, saving contributors the cost of a stamp or a phone call.

Mercury staff will empty the boxes every Thursday or Friday, in time for the newspaper's deadline the following week.

Editor Matthew Mills said: "This is an exciting scheme as the Mercury is keen to increase interaction with the local community.

"These boxes make it easier for people, particularly in remote areas, to get in touch with the paper and hopefully they will help us to continue improving our coverage of Teesdale."

The Teesdale Mercury was established in 1854 and sells around 7,000 copies across Teesdale and Weardale.

It is set to open its third office in West Auckland, Weardale, later this year.

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
e-mail pastill@nep.co.uk