A weekly newspaper has returned to a compact format more than 150 years after it first switched to broadsheet.

Friday’s Surrey Advertiser was the first edition since 1864 to go on sale in the smaller size following a move designed to make the paper “easier to pick up”.

The Advertiser has also pledged more local features, community news and readers’ letters as part of the relaunch, along eight pages of puzzles every week.

First published on 2 April 1864 by Joseph Whittaker Barfoot, the paper started life as a compact advertising sheet called The Surrey Advertiser and Commercial and Agricultural Register.

Friday’s Cranleigh edition of the new look Advertiser

However, increased demand for news saw the Advertiser switch to broadsheet seven months into its existence.

In a message to readers, editor Deanne Blaylock said: “It hardly needs to be said that the world has changed a lot over the last 150 years but the press will always play a vital role in shining a light on the stories that matter, as well as the stories that entertain and the stories that move.

“The country faces challenges from the housing shortage to violence on the streets and in the home, to how to care for those who need it – the young, the vulnerable and the elderly. It can be hard to find the facts above the background noise but we will endeavour to provide them.

“We also want to hear from you. Whether writing to us for our letters page, or simply to tell us a story, we always welcome correspondence from our readers. Thank you for being with us and we are looking forward to continuing to serve you.”

Ceri Gould, Trinity Mirror editor-in-chief- for the South East, added: “The Surrey Advertiser has such a long and proud history in the county that it is an honour to introduce this new chapter.

“The Get Surrey website has been a huge success but throughout that growth it has been clear the weekly print edition keeps a key place in the hearts of its loyal readers.”