A FREE newspaper has printed its last edition after falling advertising income forced it to close.
The Darlington and South Durham Herald and Post will no longer be distributed to 34,000 homes in the area, with bosses saying it has struggled to be profitable in a highly competitive advertising market.
The paper, owned by Trinity Mirror, publisher of The Evening Gazette, and The Journal, printed its last edition on Monday.
In a statement, regional managing director Bob Cuffe said: "Trading conditions in 2011 have been challenging and our revenues are lower than we had expected.
"In order to ensure we can build a sound base for 2012, further action is needed.
"Consequently, we are announcing a change to our portfolio which will improve our performance in the months ahead.
"The Darlington and South Durham Herald and Post, which distributes to 34,000 homes in the area, has been struggling to maintain itself as a profitable product.
"We therefore propose that we close the title as soon as possible."
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