SO just how popular are the Preston and Leyland Citizens?

They are popular enough to be read all the way across the Atlantic, that's how!

And how do we know? Because one reader in Canada, a Mr Shorrocks contacted multi-marathon runner John McDonald after his record-breaking running challenge was featured in The Citizen.

John, of Queensway, in Leyland, takes up the story: "I got a postcard from Mr Shorrocks after he read the story in the paper."

John was featured in the paper in Spring as he was preparing to run 12 marathons by the end of the year. Since then a sports injury has put paid to that.

John said: "He didn't realise so many marathons were held every year in Britain and he wanted some more information about them.

"He told me he works for a company that imports goods from the UK and that's how he got the paper. It was dated April 6 and he was so impressed with the story that he wrote to me for more information.

"The only thing I can think of is that they use newspaper in the packing of goods and ours was one they used."

How many local newspapers can say they are read as far away as Canada?

It just goes to show, you'll find no better read paper than The Citizen.