The London freesheet battle in pictures

Associated Newspapers launched the first shot in the London freesheet battle, launching morning title Metro under licence from its Swedish founders in March 1999 Photograph: Paul Hackett/Reuters

Metro's deal with London Underground helped it hit its target market of morning commuters Photograph: Alessia Pierdomenico/Reuters

Associated followed Metro with launch of freesheet Standard Lite in December 2004 in an attempt to head off the threat of a planned launch by Richard Desmond. It was closed when Associated launched London Lite Photograph: Graham Turner/Guardian

Daily financial freesheet City AM first appeared on London's streets in September 2005 Photograph: Public Domain

Associated launched the afternoon title London Lite on 30 August 2006 as a defensive move ahead of News International's launch of the London Paper Photograph: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

News International launched the London Paper on 4 September 2006. Here distributors of the two titles compete on TLP's launch day Photograph: Nick Cunard/Rex Features

Brightly dressed distributors of the two freesheets soon became a familiar sight for commuters in the capital Photograph: Jason Alden/Rex Features

London Lite and the London Paper attracted criticism for adding to the capital's litter problem Photograph: Christian Sinibaldi/Guardian

Stefano Hatfield, editor of the London Paper, pictured at the News International offices in Wapping in March 2007 Photograph: Sean Smith/Guardian

News International announced on 20 August 2009 that it planned to close the London Paper. The last issue is likely to be published on Friday 18 September Photograph: Public Domain

In October 2009 it was announced that the Evening Standard would drop its 50p cover price and go free - putting it up against London Lite Photograph: Guardian