Harlow Star and three other newspapers to close in print

Four local newspapers are to close their print editions because of an "unsustainable" decline in advertising.

The news affects the Harlow Star, Herts and Essex Observer, the Buckinghamshire Advertiser, and the Buckinghamshire Examiner.

Readers have described the closure as "tragic news" and "awful".

Owner Reach plc said it announced the decision with "great sadness" but would continue to cover stories online.

It said there would be no editorial redundancies, and that next week's print editions would be the last.

Robert Halfon, Conservative MP for Harlow, said it was "tragic news" for the town.

"This will be a huge loss of community news for many residents who cannot access internet," he said.

Donna Redding, from Harlow, said: "It is awful news for our community that cannot access the internet and enjoy a read of local news. We have had a local paper ever since Harlow New Town was born."

William Mata, a journalist with the Bury Free Press, said: "It was my first real job in a newsroom and I learnt a lot from the experience.

"It also leaves another town without a local paper."

A spokesman for the company said: "Due to a continued decline in local print advertising, unfortunately some print titles have become unsustainable.

"Closing a newspaper is never an easy decision and one that we never take lightly.

"Be assured that we will continue to cover the latest stories from the area regularly on our website."

Source: Reach plc