A COMMUNITY newspaper is on the streets of Shildon days after its predecessor folded because of mounting debts.

One of the men behind the new Shildon Crier is a former editor of The Shildon Record, which was wound up owing more than £8,000 in taxes and wages.

John Smith, an independent town and Sedgefield borough councillor, says the newspaper will play an important role in the former railway community.

He is providing photographs for the Crier, but will not reveal who is backing the venture.

The Record was published by the Shildon Community Press and managed by a committee of 27 volunteers.

It was delivered to households in the town and in nearby communities of Middridge and Eldon.

The committee voted to close it down at its annual meeting on July 7, when it was also agreed that there should be an investigation into the overall running of the paper.

Mr Smith said: "There were four members of staff and we were laid off without pay. We were owed two weeks wages plus holiday pay."

"We managed to get the first edition of the new paper out with the support of the Ferryhill Chapter and publishers North Eastern Community Newspapers.

"It was a rush, but it was important to fill the gap left by The Record. It is a similar style, because people like it.

"There will definitely be another edition this Saturday. In the meantime, we are looking for premises where the paper can be produced.

"I feel community newspapers have an important role in maintaining local interest. They are the third tier after the national and regional press."

Mr Smith started The Shildon Record in 1998 with final editor Keith Wallace, and handed it over to the community so that funds could be raised to employ disabled people at its printing works.

He said: "It was a mistake to give it away."