Regional newspapers across the country have turned their mastheads blue today in tribute to the NHS.

Both Newsquest and JPIMedia have revealed the change of colour across a number of their titles today.

The initiative is set to continue each Thursday during the coronavirus pandemic, with both companies urging other newspaper publishers to join in.

The switch comes as NHS fundraiser Captain Tom Moore spoke to two regional dailies to mark his 100th birthday today.

Both the Bradford Telegraph & Argus and Yorkshire Post have interviewed charitable centenarian Captain Tom, who thanked the newspapers’ readers for their support in his efforts – which have so far raised almost £30m.

Captain Tom, who was born in Keighley, has been made an honorary colonel to mark his 100th birthday.

Captain Tom told the T&A: “I am so deeply and sincerely grateful to the tremendous British public and especially the readers of the paper for their help. You have shown me so much love.

“When we started off with this exercise, we didn’t anticipate we’d get anything near that sort of money. It’s really amazing.”

Speaking to the Post, Captain Tom added: “I have been amazed and humbled by the reaction of the strong people of Yorkshire, I have so many happy memories of living in this most wonderful county.

“I would like to thank them all for supporting me. Yorkshire and my home town of Keighley remain in my heart.”

Post editor James Mitchinson told HTFP: “Capt, now Col, Tom Moore has for the second time in his life given his all for his country. Of course, we were not surprised to learn that this colossus was a Yorkshireman, but when we did find out it made us burst with pride.

“Tom Moore has said that Keighley and Yorkshire remain in his hearts, well he certainly captured all of ours as he gave the nation the hero it needed in one of its darkest hours. Happy birthday, sir. And to many more.”

“If I may, I’d like to tip my hat to Mike Gaunt, our design editor. The elegance of the front page makes it look simple.

“It isn’t and I know how lucky I am to have a world class design sub elevating the Yorkshire Post to where I believe it belongs – punching in the nationals division.”

Other titles that turned blue in honour of the NHS included Newsquest’s Bolton News and JPIMedia-owned Sheffield daily The Star.

Toby Granville, Editorial Development Director at Newsquest, said: “We wanted to demonstrate our appreciation for our NHS workers putting their lives on the line for our communities – and as Thursday is Clap For Carers day it seemed the perfect time to do it.

“Very timely it also coincided with Captain Tom’s 100th birthday – who one of our North East editors Nigel Burton managed to get a group-wide exclusive with – thanking our readers for supporting his fundraising campaign.”

Jeremy Clifford, JPIMedia’s editor in chief, added: “It is so inspiring to see the whole nation come together to support our national treasure, the NHS, every Thursday, and our titles want to do what we can to show our gratitude and support for everyone caring for people with coronavirus.

“Turning our mastheads blue is a simple gesture but one full of sentiment for the courage and professionalism of NHS staff.”