An exciting new chapter has opened for the Evening Press with the launch of its compact design. The switch from traditional broadsheet to compact marks a major milestone in the newspaper's 122-year history. As the printing press whirred into action for the first edition of the all-new format yesterday, reporter NADIA JEFFERSON-BROWN was on hand to chart the events.

10:15am York student Fiona Baxter set the printing press rolling for the first compact Evening Press at a ceremony with editor Kevin Booth after winning our competition to launch the new look.

Speaking in the printing hall, in Walmgate, the 27-year-old, of Garths End, Fulford, said: "Converting to a compact size is an excellent idea and will make it easier to read. It was great to win the competition because I read the paper and it is really interesting to see how it is produced."

10:45am Head of operations Dave Gibson said the print run went without a hitch, producing some 6,000 copies for the first compact edition within 20 minutes of the presses revving into action.

"This is a big day in the paper's history so it is nice to be part of it," he said.

11am Editor Kevin Booth joined readers at Borders bookstore in Davygate to sign copies of the newspaper and discuss its new design. He described the switch to compact as "the most significant single development in the 122-year history of the Evening Press".

York's town crier John Redpath spread the word about the city's revamped newspaper while street performer, Mr Yellow, transformed himself into Mr Red in honour of the Press's corporate colours.

Celebrities came out in support of the launch with TV star and York panto dame Berwick Kaler creating a stir as he signed copies of the compact Press at Marks & Spencer in Parliament Street.

"Tabloid is more manageable," he enthused.

"Everyone I have spoken to has said 'I have been waiting for this.'

"I am not being all showbizzy, trying to say the right thing," he assured.

"The Evening Press was the star today. I think we definitely have a little star in our hands."

BBC TV's Harry Gration who signed copies at Fenwick's in Coppergate agreed that the new design was a hit.

"People are saying they prefer the smaller size and are happy with the look. I like it. I always turn to the back page first and that won't change."

12.30pm York City player manager Chris Brass autographed customers' copies at WH Smith, in Coney Street.

2:15pm Evening Press staff gathered for a commemorative photograph outside the offices in Walmgate before managing director Liz Page and Kevin Booth raised a toast to the newspaper's new-look future.

5pm Reflecting on the launch, Mr Booth said: "It has been a great day and feedback has been extremely positive. The vast majority of people I met while out today were very much in favour of the switch to compact, which fits in entirely with the results of market research we carried out before making the decision.

"There's been a tremendous amount of hard work done behind the scenes at the Evening Press in preparation for the launch and I would like to say a big thank you for everyone's commitment and determination."

Pictures of this event are available in our Library channel>>

Updated: 10:25 Tuesday, September 07, 2004