News Post Leader
| Type | Weekly freesheet newspaper |
|---|---|
| Format | Tabloid |
| Owner(s) | Northeast Press |
| Editor | Paul Larkin - 01665 602234 |
| Founded | after 1950 |
| Political alignment | Non-aligned |
| Language | English (UK) |
| Headquarters | Morpeth, Northumberland |
| Circulation | South East Northumberland |
| ISSN | 1753–7266 |
| Website | www.newspostleader.co.uk |
The News Post Leader is a British weekly freesheet that covers the north-east county of Northumberland, including the towns of Cramlington, Ashington, Bedlington and Blyth. While 99.4% of copies are delivered to houses for free on Thursday, the paper itself may be bought from local shops for 70p. While south-east Northumberland is also covered by the Evening Chronicle, the Leader does not usually run news about Tyneside.
History
The paper was formed from the amalgamation of several south-east Northumberland titles during the 1960s and 1970s, the oldest of which was the Blyth News founded in 1874. The paper was taken over by Johnston Press in 1999.
Content
The paper tends to have a focus on community news and events, mixed with its heavy advertising of local companies that is evident throughout. It also tends to cover local politics and the affairs of Northumberland County Council, as well as local sports such as local football team Blyth Spartans and youth sports. It also has a letters page, which is a popular area for residents to voice their concerns or to notify people of coming or past events. In addition, it carries a classified advertising section that often runs to 4–5 pages.