Britain’s last remaining broadsheet evening newspaper is to switch to a compact format.

The Halifax Evening Courier will print its last broadsheet issue on Friday, and show off its first compact look on March 26.

The paper has been published in tabloid size on a Saturday for several years.

The historic move to compact six days a week is in response to customer demand, with recent market research showing an overwhelming preference in its patch for local news in a smaller, easier-to-handle format.

The switch has also allowed for a reshuffle of content, with more local news at the front and a comprehensive what’s on guide every day.

Editor John Furbisher said: “We’ve printed several trial versions of the new Courier and people love it.

“The stories and information they want are easier to find and the paper has a much newsier feel.

“I like evolution rather that revolution, which is why the transformation of the paper has happened in easy stages.

“The Courier has been tabloid on Saturday for several years – and more recently we brought all the typography up to date with a view to going compact eventually right through the week.

“We have been in no hurry to make the final switch in format because I firmly believe making sure content is right first.

“But readers now show a clear preference for compact papers and some of the other changes they want – to do with the running order of news in the paper – simply cannot be achieved in broadsheet format.”

The Courier’s Property Today supplement on Fridays will remain a broadsheet pull-out in response to advertiser demand.