A new look for the Richmond and Twickenham Times has brought a revamped section RT2 to improve the offering to readers.

The main news section of the paper remains a broadsheet – with the newly-compact colour RT2 offering extra flexibility.

With the first section providing a greater focus on the local area, the new supplement concentrates on local arts, gardening, fashion, dining out and wine and real ale columns.

Managing editor Jo Gumb said: "The new format allows us to give everything a regular home in the main news section, with news on the first seven pages and sport always on the back page.

"The RT2 is in colour and the tabloid format means we can fit in all the sections we had before and easily alter pagination where necessary.

"It’s been around for over 100 years so it is very nice that all of the comments from readers have been very positive about what we have done."

The new look was launched at the paper’s King Street offices where dignitaries including the Mayor of Richmond upon Thames Councillor Robin Jowit and MP for Richmond Park Susan Kramer brushed shoulders with representatives from amenity societies, councillors and people from the arts scene.

The office was turned lilac - from RT2’s promotion posters - as guests socialised over Chardonnay and Merlot.

And a stilt walker spread the word in Richmond town centre, giving away goody bags with the paper.