The first issue of the East Kilbride Mail has hit the streets - just three weeks after staff set to work on the new title.

The paid-for weekly, which will rival Trinity Mirror's East Kilbride News, is set to be published every Wednesday.

And this week 15,000 copies of the 48-page paper are being given away free to give potential readers a taste of what is to come.

The new title is the brainchild of former Scottish Mirror editor Crawford Brankin, and Steve McLaughlin, former circulation director of the Daily Record, who are the two main shareholders.

It is also backed by football star-turned-TV soccer pundit Ally McCoist, who is a shareholder, and former Regional Independent Media boss Chris Oakley and former RIM managing director Ernest Petrie who both hold minority stakes.

Ally will also act as the public face of the Mail - and returned to East Kilbride yesterday to give away copies in the town centre.

Crawford said: "It was a bit fraught getting the paper out, as you might expect, but we are pretty pleased, all things considered.

"The majority of our staff only started three weeks ago so it is quite an achievement.

"We've got a good quota of advertising and the response from advertisers has been very encouraging."

Future issues of the East Kilbride Mail will be paid-for, although an exact cover price - and future print-runs - have not yet been confirmed, and will depend on how well the first issue is received.

Prior to launch, a poster campaign across East Kilbride informed residents about the new venture, and a party was held to allow advertisers to meet staff.

The paper is edited by local journalist Ross McKay, and has ten staff who are all based in new premises at the town's Hairmyres Station.

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