The award-winning Sentinel Sunday newspaper yesterday published its first edition as a tabloid.

The change came about through reader demand and the title is embarking on a marketing campaign to support its new format.

The paper was launched in 2000 and transformed the Sentinel newsroom into a seven-day operation.

Research carried out among readers found that they wanted the Sunday edition to be closer to its sister paper, while retaining its own individual identity.

Advertisers are also backing the move, with two supplements – Sentinel Sunday @home and the Sunday Jobsguide featuring property at home and abroad, and vacancies, recruitment and business news.

Sentinel Sunday editor Paul Dutton said: “For six years Sentinel Sunday has provided a unique mixture of news and sports coverage, combined with thought-provoking comment and lifestyle features.

“Our readers have told us that size matters, and they want their local Sunday newspaper to be a tabloid.”

The paper, based at Stoke-on-Trent, has a weekly readership of some 45,000, from an 11,530 circulation.