The Wiltshire Gazette & Herald is to change to a compact format after 190 years as a broadsheet paper.

Staff at the Newsquest-owned weekly have been preparing for the transformation since late last year, and on Thursday readers will be able to get their hands on the new shape paper for the first time.

The change is in response to requests from readers, with research showing that 80 per cent were in favour of the smaller size.

Editor Gary Lawrence said: “We are not the first paper to go down this route and certainly won’t be the last.

“But we are not doing it to be fashionable, it is a direct response to the feedback we have had from readers and advertisers in increasing numbers over the last few years.”

The new compact Gazette & Herald

He added: “Whenever I go out to talk to groups and societies almost the first thing I am asked (apart from why can’t we stop the ink coming off on your hands) is why we are still a broadsheet.

“I have heard all of the sacrifices people make to read their favourite weekly paper, having to clear the dining room table to spread it out, being forced to go down on all fours on the living room carpet or taking an elbow in the eye from their spouse as they try to open it on the sofa.”

The Gazette & Herald’s new size follows a big redesign last year, which included new typography and more white space, which was put together in a way which could be converted to the compact shape.

No changes to the content have been made and the story count will remain the same.

The property supplement will continue to be broadsheet and folded into the paper, while the business and motors sections will be compact size as they were before.

Gary said: “We tested the market and the tide has turned – going compact doesn’t have to mean going downmarket. Hopefully we can strike a balance.

“When you are trying to make the paper look good you can lose focus on the content, but we will continue to make sure we provide a high standard of local news.”