YOUR priceless free weekly is going from strength to strength as it moves into a new era.

Our newspaper group is now part of a new and exciting multi-media group, Newsquest Media Group Limited formed in the New Year.

And your favourite local newspaper is making changes which will take us into the 21st century.

We want to give you what you want - the best news coverage, coupled with an excellent advertising package.

Many new and exciting features - both in editorial and advertising - will appear in the newspaper over the coming months.

And if there's anything you want us to focus on - let us know! We are at your service...

Part of our revamped news package is the introduction of three eciting new writers to our editorial and sports pages.

NICK FLETCHER will be putting the drive into our Superdrive motoring features - giving readers the best and up-to-date news about the latest models and best bargains.

Nick has been a professional motoring writer for 15 years and travels all over Europe testing cars. He has owned more than 75 cars ranging from a baby Fiat 500 to a Rolls Royce Silver Shadow. He currently owns a Jaguar, a Volkswagen and a Ford. Read Nick Fletcher in our new-look Superdrive column on page 37.

MARK TOMLINSON, the golf professional at Euxton Park Golf Centre, is joining our sports team with a regular golf tips and news column.

A former schoolboy and junior champion, Mark turned professional in 1982, and is in great demand teaching the skills of the game at company golf days. He even coaches other pro-golfers on their swings - and is fast gaining a reputation as a leading trick-shot artist. Mark's company runs golf shops at Euxton Park and at Chorley Golf Club. Read Mark Tomlinson's top golf tips today on page 47.

Another writer giving our sports coverage a bit of extra kick is martial arts expert MARK STRANGE.

Sifu Mark has spent over ten years honing his Chinese martial arts skills and teaches Kung Fu, Chinese kickboxing, Tai Chi and self defence. He is a national champion in kickboxing and Kung Fu. He runs his own Academy in Talbot Road, Leyland.

Read Mark's Martial Arts World only in next week's Citizen. He'll be kicking off with the origins of the game ... and how to get started. MANAGING Director of Lancashire Free Newspapers - publishers of the Citizen titles - is Harry Grooby.

Rosemary Nightingale leads the Citizen's talented advertising team as Area Sales Manager for the Preston, Leyland and Chorley papers.

Suzi Jones is the Assistant Sales Manager.

Caroline Buckley, 24, is Senior Sales Executive with responsibility for town centre advertising.

Pam Chowns has worked for the Citizen for five years and is an advertising sales executive.

The sales executive responsible for the Leyland area is Beverley Fullard. Belinda Moss, 27, is in charge of the tele-sales office. Julie Platt recently joined the Preston Citizen from its sister Chorley paper as Advertisement Sales Executive.

Debbie Nickson, 26, has worked in Citizen tele-sales for nine months, with responsibility for entertainments advertising.

Thirty-year-old Mark Clews joined the company five months ago and works in tele-sales.

Cindy Knight has worked for the Citizen since 1992 and is the office administrator/secretary.

Receptionist Mandy Knight, 20, joined the company 15 months ago.

Naomi Bunting has been Editor of the Preston and Leyland Citizen for two-and-a-half years and heads up the Citizen's expert editorial team.

Assistant editor Richard Farnell, 37, joined the Citizen group last June.

Chief reporter Caroline Hastie, 22, has worked for the Citizen for just over two years.

Reporter Gill Atherton, 29,joined the Citizen in 1994.

Julie Seddon, 22, joined us as a reporter in November.

Soccer writer Enda Brady follows the fortunes of North End for the Citizen.

Award-winning photographer Robert Underdown, 29, has worked for the Citizen for eight years.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.