Editorial staff from the UK regional press have started blogging the progress of their campaigns on the Local Newspaper Week 2008 website.

Hereford Times deputy news editor Mark Bowen, the site’s first blogger, is writing updates on the newspaper’s Safer Driving Campaign which aims to raise awareness of road safety in the area.

The blog is part of the Newspaper Society’s online offering for Local Newspaper Week, which runs from May 5-11 and is this year themed Campaigning for Your Community and celebrating its 10th anniversary.

Society communications director Lynne Anderson said: “Editorial staff from local and regional newspapers across the UK are invited to join Mark and blog on the website as their title runs a campaign.

“The blogs will give unique behind-the-scenes insight into how local newspaper campaigns are run and allow titles to promote themselves through the Local Newspaper Week platform.”

The week provides an opportunity for the local media to show its strengths to readers and advertisers alike, with editors urged to take part.

Other website features will include a showcase of campaigns run by local newspapers in the last year, comment and testimonials from the public and organisations that have benefited from campaigns, comment from high-profile figures and artwork.