A weekly newspaper in Berkshire has launched an annual Christmas campaign that was founded 100 years ago by one of its former editors.

Family-run title the Newbury Weekly News is asking readers to donate gifts as part of its Over 80s Parcel Fund.

The fund used to be called the ‘Two Ts fund’ and was set up by a former editor of the paper Frank Stillman in the late 1800s when he worked as a reporter.

Back then the aim of the fund was to give a Christmas gift of tobacco and tea to some of Newbury’s oldest residents, many of whom lived in the workhouses in Newbury.

Jeremy Willis, chairman of the News, said: “Our Over 80s Christmas Parcel Fund has been sending out food parcels to the over 80s since 1897.

“It was set up by the then chief reporter when the authorities at the local workhouse stopped providing beer to the inmates at Christmas. It was created to fund tobacco to the gentlemen and tea for the ladies and now funds a £10 food parcel to over 2,200 senior citizens over 80.

“At the NWN we feel that this is a local fund which raises money from the local community and given back to local people and in an area that is not really supported by other charities.

“This year extra funding has been provided by the local Greenham Common Trust which has been a great help at a time when donations are hard to come by. I am sure our business is no different from anybody else’s. We have to look at all our expenditure and costs and something has to give.”

Last year the paper delivered more than 2,200 parcels to people aged over 80 living in Newbury, Thatcham or Hungerford.

The News, owned by Blacket Turner & Co, is calling on all West Berkshire’s generous individuals, schools, businesses and community groups to join in its fundraising events or to organise their own

So far this year £16,000 has already been raised for the fund.