A weekly newspaper was praised by Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond as it celebrated its 150th anniversary.

The Kilmarnock Standard was first published on 20 June 1863 with just four pages and it has produced a 16-page supplement to mark the milestone anniversary.

It was praised by Mr Salmond for its “much-valued service” to the community in a message to celebrate the birthday.

The anniversary was featured on the front page of the Trinity Mirror title, pictured below, as local school pupils were pictured with a cake specially made for it.

Mr Salmond said: “I congratulate all of those, past and present, who have contributed to the on-going success of the Kilmarnock Standard – from the newspaper’s staff to the regular readers who each week ensure that it can continue to play an important role, reporting the news and views of, and for, the local community.

“I wish the Standard team the very best for the future and for a further 150 years providing a much-valued service at the heart of life in Kilmarnock and its neighbouring communities in East Ayrshire.”

The paper has also received many other messages of congratulations from readers and key figures in the community.

Editor Craig Robertson, the paper’s ninth, said: “We are proud to serve the community of Kilmarnock and the surrounding district by celebrating achievements, campaigning where something is wrong and reflecting the events and goings on in our local area.

“Generations of our readers and advertisers have supported this paper and its hard-working staff and in our supplement we thanked them for that loyalty.”

The paper's 16-page supplement marks its 150th birthday.