A weekly newspaper originally launched in what its founder called a “David and Goliath” story has celebrated 25 years in business

Champion Media Group has marked the milestone for the Southport Champion, which it launched in 1994 following the demise of another title in the town, the Southport Globe.

It has since spawned titles in the neighbouring towns of Formby, Maghull, Crosby, Bootle, Ormskirk and Skelmersdale – reaching more than 165,000 homes.

Seven bumper birthday issues were produced to honour the anniversary yesterday (6).

Champion Media Group CEO Betty Drummond said: “The launch of the Champion and its early history is a real ‘David versus Goliath’ story. The closure and loss of jobs at the Globe was the inspiration behind the Champion.

“A handful of staff, with little more than will-power, were determined to continue to produce a first class independent newspaper. We set about launching the Champion and within four days the first edition hit the streets.

“From a standing start, with no resources, no money and no premises, the staff rallied. The editorial team hit the streets to gather news and prepare their stories on a borrowed Macintosh Classic.

“The sales team worked from two bedrooms in a Southport hotel, and we produced our pages on a couple of B&Q pasting tables, while invoices were prepared in a garden shed.”

She added: “Publishing newspapers has never been tougher, but the Champion team are as determined today as they were 25 years ago – we plan to be around for a long time yet.”