A newspaper group has launched three community newspapers today as part of a continuing roll-out of new titles despite the economic downturn.

Tindle Newspapers has created the Barnet and Potters Bar Press, the Hendon and Finchley Press and the Edgware and Mill Hill Press as hyperlocal titles reporting on areas already covered by its Barnet weekly The Press.

The three newspapers, edited by Gary O’Keeffe, will be delivered free to around 90,000 homes and each will have some individual editorial and advertising.

They have been launched as part of owner Sir Ray Tindle’s plans to create local community newspapers across the country.

The move follows the creation of three further weekly titles in North London in March – the Edmonton Herald, Winchmore Hill Herald and East Barnet Advertiser.

Alison Cruse, publishing director of North London and Herts Newspapers which produces the new titles, said staff were enthusiastic about the launches, which were the second phase of a continuing development.

She said: “It gives us the chance to get closer to the readers and advertisers in the communities we serve.”

Today, Sir Ray is hosting a special celebration in Aberystwyth for 150 guests to mark the 150th anniversary of paid-for weekly the Cambrian News – where he said despite previous gloomy predictions, more newspapers had been launched than closed in the country over the last year.