The first edition of a new fortnightly newspaper has rolled off the presses after its success as a hyperlocal website.

The Caerphilly Observer has gone into print as a full-colour 16-page free paper after being run as a news website since 2009 by former Brighton Argus journalist Richard Gurner.

He revealed last month that he was making the move into newsprint thanks to a European Union-funded business grant from Caerphilly County Borough Council, which will help fund the first four editions.

The publication has a circulation of 10,000 copies, which are distributed in shops for readers to pick up, and circulates throughout Caerphilly County Borough.

Richard is pictured with the first print edition of the Caerphilly Observer.

Richard said: “The first edition went smoothly and the support we’ve had from advertisers has been nothing short of phenomenal.

“Seeing the first edition roll off the press at 3.30am has made all the effort worthwhile. Caerphilly Observer is now a physical presence in the world that people can pick up and take home. It is no longer confined to the online world.

“Caerphilly County Borough doesn’t have a newspaper dedicated exclusively to the entire area and it is this gap in the market that we will be addressing.

“The goal for Caerphilly Observer is to create a sustainable, locally-owned media that our readers can be proud of.”

The title will compete against Newsquest’s Campaign series, which also circulates across Caerphilly and many of the surrounding towns and villages.

Since its launch in 2009, the Caerphilly Observer website has grown to attract an average of 50,000 page views and 20,000 unique visitors a month.