A weekly newspaper has celebrated the start of Black History Month on its front page.

Reading Today has splashed on the launch of the event, which runs throughout October.

The cover, pictured, features an image by photographer Steve Smyth of a mural in Reading that features key figures in black history.

An estimated 6.7pc of Reading’s population are black, with editor Phil Creighton describing the event as a “big deal” in the town.

Phil told HTFP: “In June, we made the decision to switch our Reading Today front pages to poster fronts – something eye-catching and something interesting.

“Black History Month is a big deal in Reading, quite rightly so, and we’re pleased to amplify the many, many terrific events taking place across the town in the weeks ahead.

“To help illustrate it, we used photographer Steve Smyth’s terrific picture of a Reading landmark. The 30m-long mural feature key figures in black history, including Harriet Tubman, Olaudah Equiano, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X, Toussaint Louverture and Bob Marley.

“I first saw the mural on my very first visit to Reading, back in 1994 for a university interview, and that memory has stayed with me ever since. It’s an important part of our brilliant town, and it’s great to give it another moment in the spotlight.

“We’re looking forward to covering the various events as Black History Month goes on.”