We've launched a new-look Lancashire Telegraph with a number of exciting changes.

First and foremost we are delivering a lot more local news, sport and features with around 100 extra pages for you to read across the week.

As part of our improved package we're publishing some brand new supplements, more reader opinion and sport, a daily Ribble Valley page, and a super Saturday features pullout including 7-day TV listings.

New additions include:

Monday: Your bigger Telegraph includes Blackburn Local, a new 8-page community pullout loaded with district news and features, and an expanded three-page business section.

Tuesday: Your amateur sport Grassroots section is now a 12-page pullout with lots more to read. Cricket, football and a host of other sports get a much better service. Meanwhile indoor sports and bowls fans are treated to their own pages.

Wednesday: Bygones is a new 8-page nostalgia pullout with articles, photos and memories from The Lancashire Telegraph archives and readers’ recollections.

Thursday: Our super entertainment pullout The Guide is expanded so you can look forward to more ‘going out’ information as well as a new pubs section. Our popular Motors section is also there with all the latest vehicles for sale.

Friday: The weekly Homes guide has moved to Friday with pages of properties for sale or let, and we’ve also got a 5-page Asian Image section – a great read with absorbing lifestyle and entertainment features.

Saturday: Welcome to our bumper new 40-page Weekend supplement, packed with local leisure and lifestyle articles, PLUS a 7 Day TV Guide.

I hope your bigger, improved Telegraph meets with your approval.

We’ve implemented the changes because we want to retain your loyalty – and because we need to meet the challenges of an ever-tougher market for regional newspapers.

Traditional advertising platforms, which allowed us to bring you an unrivalled local news service, have suffered greatly during the economic downturn.

This, combined with the digital information revolution, which has meant that anyone, anywhere can access news in many different formats, has provided a significant challenge for your local newspaper.

To fully meet that challenge, we have taken on more staff as well as almost doubled the local news coverage in the paper.

However, this investment in additional content, staff and pages has to be funded.

As a result the Lancashire Telegraph has increased its cover price to 65p Monday to Friday, using much of the price rise to fund this major investment. The Saturday edition, with the new Weekend magazine and 7-day TV Guide, is 80p.

I hope you understand the reasons for our new strategy and enjoy your bigger, improved Lancashire Telegraph. Let me know what you think. We value and need your support.

One final thought: our overriding aim is to give you, our loyal readers, a higher quality news, sport and features service. I certainly believe you are getting much more value in your favourite local newspaper.