Staff at the Manchester Evening News are being asked for their views on the idea of a free late afternoon edition of the paper, along the same lines as London's Standard Lite.

In a memo to staff editor Paul Horrocks revealed that the business case for the introduction of a free version of the paper was being evaluated, and asked for their feedback.

It is thought that any such move would see a 'MEN lite' made available after production of the MEN as a paid-for had been completed.

Editor Paul (pictured) stressed that no decision had been made and said all angles were currently being looked at.

He told HoldtheFrontPage: "There is more work to be done before any decision is made.

"We are currently conducting an evaluation exercise in the same way that I imagine a lot of newspapers are following the launch of the Standard Lite."

The Manchester Evening News currently publishes four editions a day, including an early morning breakfast edition which was launched in November.

It has a daily circulation of around 150,000, but it is understood that sales drop significantly in the late afternoon.

If a free edition was introduced it could run in tandem or replace the MEN's final edition which goes on sale after 4pm.