A new weekly free newspaper is set to launch later this month as a sister title to a newspaper founded last year.

One Media will print the first edition of the Times of Tonbridge on 23 March with an initial print run of 7,000.

The company already publishes the Times of Tunbridge Wells, which celebrates its first anniversary this month.

The two similarly named – but differently spelt – Kent towns sit four miles apart of one another.

A dummy of how the Times of Tonbridge will look

The new title mirrors the approach of the Tunbridge Wells paper, with Tonbridge-specific news at the front of the book followed by a mix of relevant local, national and international news, plus business, property and leisure sections.

As part of the launch, Frank Baldwin, a former director and managing editor of the Kent & Sussex Courier Group, has been appointed editor at large of the One Media Group.

The new paper will be available through newsagents and major supermarkets including Sainsbury;s and Tesco, as well as at local railway stations and independent retailers.

Copies will also be hand delivered in selected areas of the town and handed out in the town centre each Wednesday.

A digital edition will also be launched in support of the print version.

Nick Moore, group commercial director of One Media, said: “Tonbridge is a fast developing town that has seen a lot of recent investment in key market sectors such as property, leisure and retail.

“In its first year, the Times of Tunbridge Wells has proved a great success and that had prompted a great deal of reader and advertiser interest in a sister title in the neighbouring town. This week’s launch is a response to that demand.”

“The Times of Tunbridge Wells has proved a valuable and vibrant addition to the local news market since its launch and we are confident our new title will have the same impact in Tonbridge.”