A growing network of local email newsletters and print newspapers is to launch three new editions as part of a ‘second wave’ of expansion.

The Lead has already launched weekly email newsletters for Blackpool, Bolton, Stoke-on-Trent and Teesside, with the Blackpool title already having published its first print edition.

Now three new editions are set to go live across the North-West of England, two of them in partnership with existing hyperlocal titles.

The new editions, which will launch throughout April and May, will be The Hyndburn Lead, The Altrincham & Sale Lead, and The Warrington Lead.

The Altrincham & Sale launch will see The Lead’s Northern operation, led by editor Luke Beardsworth, work closely with hyperlocal title Altrincham Today, while in Warrington the team will work closely with independent title Warrington Worldwide.

As part of the new partnerships, The Lead is making content packages available to the existing publications while its print editions will be distribited in association with the established hyperlocal titles alongside their current free print products.

David Prior, publisher of Altrincham Today, said: “This is good news for Altrincham and Sale. The past decade has hardly been a period of growth for the local news industry, but The Lead’s issues-led long-read journalism is showing that when done well, there is no more important part of a functioning democracy.

“We’re looking forward to partnering with The Lead both online and in print.”

Natalie Morris, The Lead’s senior editor (National), grew up in Altrincham & Sale and still has strong connections with the towns and surrounding areas.

She said: “I’m incredibly proud to continue The Lead’s expansion into the North West, particularly in a place that is still home for me in many ways.

“Altrincham is consistently voted one of the best places to live, but there is so much more to it than good schools and footballer’s mansions.

“It has been fascinating to witness the changes that have taken place in Altrincham over the last few decades. I’m excited to see the varied and nuanced stories that will emerge as we look to local journalists to dig below the surface to uncover the issues that really matter in this region.”

The Hyndburn Lead will include in-depth coverage of the communities of Accrington, Oswaldtwistle and Great Harwood.

George Francis Lee, an Oswaldtwistle-based journalist working on the project, said: “Hyndburn is my home. People from smaller northern towns have come to expect a level of disinterest from the media and typical local newspaper models are challenged. We can start to offer something new with The Hyndburn Lead.

“I’m excited for The Hyndburn Lead to produce journalism as interesting and varied as the towns and people that make up our district.”

Plans are still in the offing for launches in three further areas of the North of England in 2024, with two print editions of each of the titles scheduled – a total print run of 200,000.

Lead editor (North), Ed Walker, said: “We’ve seen a strong response to our in-depth features and news exploring issues in all the places we’ve launched in so far.

“In Hyndburn, Warrington and Altrincham & Sale we have proud places, people and towns which have lots of stories waiting to be told.

“Through partnering with existing publications it’s important to recognise the good local journalism already going on and ensure as The Lead we’re working to complement that.”

The Lead is currently accepting news and feature pitches for all the places listed – email [email protected] to be considered.