A regional daily has committed to a “bold vision” for changing its patch for the better by 2040.

Portsmouth daily The News has lent its backing to the Imagine Portsmouth project, which aims to bring individuals, groups and businesses together to examine how the city can be improved over the next 20 years.

Around 2,500 people from 60 organisations in Portsmouth have been consulted over the past 18 months ahead of the project’s launch.

The News splashed on the campaign last Friday.

Editor Mark Waldron said: “It rests with all the major players of Portsmouth to now seize this opportunity and drive the strategy forward.

“I was proud to be asked to play a part in shaping this vision and The News will continue to do whatever we can to turn what has been imagined into reality.”

Portsmouth City Council deputy leader Steve Pitt added: “This is about working with everyone in the city to make Portsmouth the best it can be.

“We have got organisations and businesses involved who could make small changes to how they run but also bigger commitments.

“An example could be cutting the use of plastic straws in everyday use while pledging to share cars or use car clubs to help the environment.

“But it’s not just them – every resident can do their bit to help achieve a goal, no matter how small.”