A complete redesign of the Reading Chronicle has seen the paper buck the trend of broadsheet titles becoming compact with the decision being made for the paper to remain in its traditional format.

The Chronicle has undergone a design and content overhaul to position it as a "modern, vibrant paper for the Reading of today and tomorrow" under the guidance of new editor Simon Jones.

Its sister free newspaper, The Midweek Chronicle, has also been relaunched – and renamed the Chronicle Extra – with a fresh design and extra editorial pages.

The new-look Reading Chronicle is designed to be a better local read, offering an expanded letters section, revitalised pages for Reading's outlying villages, a new-look tabloid leisure guide and a whole new approach to the news agenda.

Editor Simon said: "Reading has changed enormously over the past 15 years and we want the paper to reflect a more modern, forward-looking, confident town, while understanding and empathising with our readers' concerns, aspirations and expectations."

In addition, the sports section is undergoing a major overhaul to coincide with Reading Football Club's promotion to the Premiership.

The Chronicle Extra will also benefit from more sports pages.

The decision to remain broadsheet is vital to the Chronicle's competitive position in the town, said TMS editorial director Marc Reeves.

He added: "The Chronicle is up against a daily tabloid in a fiercely-fought newspaper town, and we see our current format as key to remaining distinct and different to the opposition."