A weekly title has become one of the first in its newspaper group to launch an iPhone app for news and sport.

The Chorley and Leyland Guardian has unveiled its app which can be downloaded free to an iPhone and iPod Touch.

It has worked with a local firm, Concept 4, to create the app which has icons for news and sport, although it is not currently available in the Apple store.

The title is believed to be among the first in Johnston Press to set up an app, with The Scotsman leading the group by launching one earlier this year.

Editor Chris Maguire said: “The app is just a different way of serving our readers.

“The sales of the Guardian have remained really strong so far this year and our websites are performing strongly. We’re not complacent so we want to keep improving.

“The app has an icon for Chorley and Leyland news and one for sport. It’s proved helpful with breaking news stories like the current big freeze and possible school closures.

“We’re not charging for the app at the moment and will be monitoring its take-up rate to see what the commercial opportunities are.

“I’m very grateful to Concept 4 for their expertise. It means that if we upload one story on to the website it immediate goes on to the app, Facebook page and Twitter page at the same time. It’s all about offering the best service to our customers.”

The app can be downloaded by visiting chorleyguardian.concept4.com from a mobile device then clicking ‘add to home screen’.