A regional daily used symbols of its patch to represent the dead as it marked a tragic coronavirus milestone with a special black and white front page.

Sheffield daily The Star commemorated the 1,001 people from the city who have so far lost their lives to the disease.

The Star’s splash on Friday featured 1,001 “Sheffield roses”, the mark used by the city’s Assay Office since 1903 on precious metals it has tested.

The graphic on the front page, pictured below, was accompanied by a black masthead.

Editor Nancy Fielder said she hoped readers would find the image of the Sheffield roses “comfortingly appropriate”.

In an accompanying editorial, Nancy wrote: “Of course, the truth is that these individuals are a number. They are our sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, friends and colleagues who we will never see again.

“Each one was old or young; their hair was blonde, brown, ginger or grey; they had a brilliant sense of humour or were so grumpy it made the rest of the family giggle; they supported our football teams but obviously only one; they loved milky tea or very strong coffee; they were kind and generous and oh so Sheffield without every wanting to waste a single penny. They loved opera, jazz, pop music, Lady Gaga, Elvis …

“Fish and chips was their favourite dinner or Sunday roast. They were really looking forward to the pubs opening again so they could meet up with their old pals over a pint or they were desperately waiting to hold their grandchildren in their arms once again.

“Each of those 1,001 Sheffielders would have a very strong message for us, as a city we must take care of those they have left behind and we must follow the rules to stop their group growing.”

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