A regional daily will bring back an iconic landmark to its masthead as it relaunches on its 140th anniversary.

The famous Blackpool Tower will return to the new masthead of The Gazette, pictured below, after an absence of nearly 20 years, when the Johnston Press title unveils its redesign on 8 April.

The title began life as a weekly newspaper on 3 April 1873, before becoming a daily in 1929, and its relaunch will give it a new look with more local content and new features and supplements.

It is being redesigned as part of the third and final phase of relaunches at Johnston Press, which began in January with the Yorkshire Evening Post and is set to continue until the middle of the year.

In an article about the new look, editor Jon Rhodes said: “For the past 140 years The Gazette has been at the forefront of bringing local news to the Fylde coast.

“We are very excited to bring a new-look Gazette and, from 8 April, giving our readers many more reasons to enjoy their local newspaper.

“To mark this we thought it fitting to return The Tower to our masthead. Many readers have asked for it to return, so we are delighted to oblige.

“We are proud to be Blackpool and the Fylde coast’s daily newspaper and what prouder symbol of this area is there than The Tower?

“Together with a new website, our recently launched iPad app and greater coverage of all that is great about the Fylde coast, 2013 is going to be an exciting year for The Gazette.”

The relaunched newspaper aims to carry more news, sport and features and will have new columnists and entertainment and lifestyle supplements.

The Gazette will also mark its 140th birthday with a series of nostalgia features throughout the year.