A weekly newspaper in Lancashire has celebrated its 125th anniversary by providing readers with a special supplement which includes a copy of its first ever edition.

The Accrington Observer launched on 1 January 1887 and to mark the occasion the team at the newspaper organised created a special 24-page commemorative pull out supplement featuring a complete reprint of the paper’s first edition.

The local community has also got involved and a local sausage producer created the Accrington 125 banger to mark the occasion with 800 being sold so far.

A  brewer in the town has also produced a special beer with the same name.

This week's edition of the Accrington Observer

Editor Gareth Tidman said: “It is a fantastic achievement for the paper to reach such a landmark.

“We have a series of events and features lined up for 2012.

“The people of Accrington have been incredibly loyal to the Observer over the years and this is a great opportunity to thank them for their support.”

In a show of support the leaders of the local town council even agreed to delay the start of a council meeting on Thursday by an hour to allow councillors and officers to attend a party which was held by the Observer on Thursday night and attended by staff and dignitaries.

Though the first edition of the Observer was published on January 1, 1887 the editorial team decided to delay the celebrations until after the Christmas and New Year period was over.