A former regional newspaper editor who launched a new hyperlocal website has hailed it a success – after it gained 33,000 hits in the first week.

Graham Breeze, a former editor-in-chief at NWN Media, set up mywelshpool.co.uk with former colleague David Williams earlier this month.

The site was created to provide news, sport, business, features and community announcements for the market town and TV weathergirl Sian Lloyd attended the launch event.

Graham said he had been ‘overwhelmed’ by the response to the website, which has seen visitors from all over the world.

He said: “We didn’t really know what to expect but the number of hits have been amazing.

“Visits have been coming in from all over the world as well as the Welshpool area. The site has been visited from the USA, Czech Republic, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Jordan and the Netherlands.

“But what is most refreshing is the response of local people, who have quickly recognised the value of instant on line news and made mywelshpool.co.uk their own website.”

He added the site would now be marketed to potential advertisers.

Meanwhile, regional daily the Blackpool Gazette has seen a huge surge in web traffic and a boost in sales since Blackpool FC started its first season in the Premiership.

Interest in the team has helped page views double from 2.25m to 4.5m in a four-week period on the paper’s website, which has a dedicated section for Blackpool FC.

And sales of the printed title rose by 3pc the Monday after the club’s 4-0 victory over Wigan.