A regional daily has launched a new interactive smartphone app designed to provide a “carefully-curated daily briefing.”

The Wolverhampton-based Express & Star’s new app aims to feature the best news and sports coverage from the paper and its website, free of “intrusive” advertising.

Priced at £1.99 a month and updated twice daily, the E&S News app will also include handpicked features, in-depth analysis and opinion, the latest football podcasts and a selection of daily interactive puzzles.

In a news release, E&S publisher the Midlands News Association said the app was “designed as a carefully-curated essential daily briefing” which would enable subscribers to store articles, search previous editions and receive news alerts.

MNA group digital editor Harry Leather said: “The Express & Star has a proud heritage of serving communities across the Black Country and Staffordshire by highlighting injustice, challenging those in power and providing incisive sports coverage every fan can rely on.

“This app is one more way that we can showcase the great work our journalists are doing on a daily basis.

“Good journalism costs money and in a world where spin and misinformation is rife, local journalism is more important than ever. The people of the Black Country and Staffordshire can now access exclusive content in an ad-free environment for an extremely competitive price.

“They also have the chance to shape the future of our news coverage. All subscribers are encouraged to make contact with me directly and share their views on the app and what they think we should be covering.”

The app is available at getapp.expressandstar.com.