Former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies MBE has spoken of local newspapers giving vital publicity to upcoming sports stars in a message for Local Newspaper Week.

Said Sharron: “Even before I started competing as a professional swimmer at the age of eleven, my local newspaper the Plymouth Herald, reported on my progress through the ranks.

“Local newspapers are fantastic at promoting grassroots sports and bring new sporting talent to the public’s attention.”

Sharron is one of many well-known names supporting the event. Other people who have written messages which can be downloaded for use by newspapers include The Queen, Lord Coe and Sir David Jason OBE.

Local Newspaper Week takes place from Monday 21 May and will coincide with the Society of Editors Regional Press Awards and the NS’s AGM on 25 May.