A weekly newspaper launched five years ago has become the latest victim of the media downturn. The Wear Valley Mercury's closure was announced by its editor in today's final issue - also posted here on its website - which stated only that it had gone "out of business."
Based in Crook, County Durham, it was published by Lord Barnard as a sister publication to the 157-year-old Teesdale Mercury.
The Wear Valley title, which began publication in September 2006 was never a big seller - maybe no more than 2,000 copies an issue - but it punched above its weight.
I mentioned its success in mounting a petition against the closure of accident and emergency services at Bishop Auckland hospital (here and here).
I also noted that is switched format, from broadsheet to compact in September last year.
Editor Phil Hardy explained to readers that the closure decision was taken "because of the tough economic situation we all find ourselves in."
He added: "Community newspapers like this are easy to dismiss as lightweight vehicles for church fetes and small interest groups. But those same groups are what make up our daily lives and hold our communities together."
I must therefore add this title to the list I compiled last week of local and regional newspaper casualties in 2011.
It is the third paid-for title to close this year along with 29 free papers.
