Here at the JOURNAL we are more used to reporting the news, but on Friday we created our own piece of history.

After a 13-year absence the paid-for Leigh, Tyldesley & Atherton JOURNAL returned to the streets.

The paper was first published in 1854 and remained a paid-for title until it was turned into a free distribution newspaper in 1987.

Now it's back with a big baby sister ... the JOURNAL MIDWEEK, which will continue to be delivered FREE to more than 63,000 homes in Leigh, Tyldesley and Atherton.

The paid-for Friday JOURNAL will officially go on sale for just 20 pence next week with a free gift for every reader.

Last Friday and today the edition will be distributed for free to give readers a taste of what they can expect inside the new newspaper.

Every week we will bring you the best of local news and sport, essential community information and a bumper entertainments guide with free seven-day television section. Add to this a host of contests, local advertising L.