Tindle Newspapers is continuing its expansion with the launch of a new paid-for hyperlocal title in London.

Days after announcing it was buying the Petersfield Post from Johnston Press, Tindle is launching the Greenwich Town Mercury as an offshoot of its 180-year-old Lewisham, Greenwich and Bexley Mercury series.

The launch follows the creation of seven new hyperlocal titles just over a year ago by the Mercury’s sister newspaper the South London Press.

Tindle Newspapers claimed that sales of the flagship weekly had risen by 35pc since its relaunch as seven separate titles in Streatham, Brixton, Wimbledon, Wandsworth, Dulwich, Deptford and Forest Hill in June 2012.

Mercury managing director Peter Edwards, said “While these are challenging times for newspapers generally, our experience is that the more local we can be, the closer to our communities we can get, then the more our readers and advertisers like it and the more successful we are.”

Announcing the latest launch, Tindle said it was expected that more titles will follow.

Company chairman Sir Ray Tindle is to host a celebratory lunch, for the Mercury’s 180th birthday year in September at The Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich.

The local MP, councillors, business people and newspaper industry leaders are being invited to celebrate the original launch of the title in 1833 as well as the new hyperlocal launches.