Newsquest Cumbria, the parent company of the News & Star and The Cumberland News, will launch a new newspaper and website on Friday for Penrith and the Eden Valley.

In the absence of any certainty surrounding the Cumberland & Westmorland Herald's future, due to the title being in administration, Newsquest Cumbria is launching the broadsheet Cumberland & Westmorland Gazette.

Vanessa Sims, editor, said: “I am delighted to be bringing this new title to Penrith and the Eden Valley.

"This paper will be a stablemate to our award-winning The Cumberland News and the Westmorland Gazette.

"I’m sure readers will be impressed when they see what the new Cumberland & Westmorland Gazette has to offer in print and online.”

David Coates, Newsquest Cumbria’s managing director, said: “Nobody understands Cumbria better than the team behind the launch of this new title and website, and the Cumberland & Westmorland Gazette is a natural extension of our coverage in Penrith and the surrounding area.

“It is essential that Penrith and the Eden Valley continues to benefit from its own newspaper and local news website.

"The uncertainty over the future of the Herald is causing concern to the newspaper’s staff, and the wider community, and Newsquest Cumbria is pleased to step in to help.

“We’ll be creating new jobs in Penrith, adding to our existing team of 34 reporters on the ground in Cumbria, and there are also opportunities for advertising specialists to join our team too.

"I’d encourage anyone interested in joining us in Penrith to contact Alison Sisson on 01228 612617 or send their CV to her via email at alison.sisson@newsquest.co.uk”

The first edition of the Cumberland & Westmorland Gazette, which has a cover price of 80p, is to be published on Friday, February 21.

In addition to all the top quality local news and entertainment, readers will be able to collect a FREE copy of Cumbria’s favourite magazine, Cumbria Life, worth £4.75.