A special pink edition of Gloucestershire paper The Citizen has been published to increase awareness of breast cancer.

Yesterday’s paper was printed entirely on pink paper to show solidarity with the 474 women in the county who are diagnosed with the disease each year.

Its masthead was adapted to include a pink ribbon for breast cancer and the strapline ‘supporting women fighting breast cancer’.

The first eight pages were dedicated to the subject, with personal stories from readers who have had breast cancer, and with information about the disease.

And a penny from the sale of every copy of The Citizen sold yesterday will go to the Gloucester Breast Cancer Support Group.

The extra cost of printing on pink paper was paid for by Boots, which sponsored the edition, and readers were invited to place tributes in remembrance of loved ones who had suffered from breast cancer, with proceeds going to charity.

Local advertisers also had to be informed of plans for the pink edition to check they were happy with the change in colour.

Assistant editor Matt Holmes said: “The idea is very much in the public interest and raises awareness in a visual and innovative way.

“It has worked really well. Our vendors have also been wearing pink ties and it has been creating a bit of a buzz.”