A Yorkshire newspaper has celebrated 150 years of being in print with a special supplement containing messages from the Prince of Wales and the Prime Minister.

The Keighley News was published for the first time on 5 April 1862.

Prince Charles expressed his ‘great admiration’ for the paper and Prime Minster David Cameron congratulated them for reaching a ‘remarkable landmark’.

Editor Malcolm Hoddy said: “It is a great honour to be at the helm of this great newspaper on such a great occasion. It would not have been possible to reach this anniversary without the dedication and commitment of a great number of people over the years.”

Prince Charles wrote in a message to the paper: “I “m delighted to send the Keighley News my warmest congratulations on reaching this, its 150th anniversary edition.

“Throughout this time, it is clear that the newspaper has demonstrated a very real commitment to serving the needs of local people by consistently highlighting important issues facing the community and by including amongst its pages information of great value to local residents.

The front of the Keighley News' supplement

He added: “Local newspapers like this one have a vital role to play at the heart of their communities. They are uniquely placed to encourage people to work together to effect change and the Keighley News has done just that.”

He also praised the newspaper’s 2009 ‘We’re Backing Keighley and District’ campaign which galvanised support for local businesses, and expressed admiration for the Keighley News and for all its staff, past and present.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: “Congratulations to the Keighley News on reaching the remarkable landmark of 150 years in circulation.

“Local newspapers are vitally important to strengthening local democracy and helping to build a bigger, stronger society. There is a massive gap between the state on the one hand, and the individual on the other, and local papers help fill the space in between, galvanising readers into action. I know the Keighley News continues to play a very important role in the heart of the community and I hope it will do so for many years to come.”