Four newspapers have introduced online paywalls after merging their websites into a single online portal.

We Are Tyrone has been launched following a merger of the Ulster Herald, Tyrone Herald, Strabane Chronicle and Dungannon Herald’s sites.

North-West News Group is introducing a paywall and subscription model for the new website, which editor Nigel McDonagh described as “necessary” for the company to develop new income streams.

A combination of print and online packages are available from £1 per week as part of the changes, which came into effect on 1 November.

Said Nigel: “The modern North-West News Group is about delivering comprehensive local journalism across its print and digital platforms.

“Quality journalism costs money to produce, yet We Are Tyrone will be great value for the reader with a combination of print and online packages from just £1 per week.”

“This is a very exciting time for our company and the wider Tyrone community, both at home and abroad. The changes that we are making will help bring us all closer together.

“While our website and social media channels are rebranding, our Tyrone newspapers will still continue to serve the local community as we have done for the last 120 years.

“We will still be providing the same high quality and informative news, views and sport, but this new platform will further improve the experience for our readers.

“We will have regular updates and exclusive online content including video material and several weekly podcasts.”

North-West News Group’s digital development manager, Linsay Fenton, has been working on the project from inception.

She added: “Our brand-new daily news and entertainment hub has been developed by our very talented in-house digital, marketing, design and editorial teams.

“The We Are Tyrone platform has gone through a rebranding process to better reflect who we are and what our audiences have been asking for.

“This is changing how we currently do things and marks the start of the very exciting digital transformation of our newsrooms.”