A community magazine which left a hole in news coverage when it closed in December 2018 is back under new ownership.

The New Stour and Avon appeared for the first time on April 23 after being resurrected by Lloyd Armishaw.

The Wiltshire businessman also financed the return of the print edition of the Blackmore Vale Magazine – renamed The New Blackmore Vale – last September.

Both the Blackmore Vale Magazine and the Stour and Avon Magazine were owned – and closed – by Reach plc, the largest commercial national and regional news publisher in the UK.

The first issue of  The New Stour and Avon runs to 64 pages and is edited by Dean Mortlock.

It will have a fortnightly distribution of up to 30,000 copies across an area including Wimborne, Blandford, Broadstone, Corfe Mullen, Fordingbridge and Ringwood.

Copies are available from a range of outlets including shops, businesses and libraries.

A full list can be found here.

Dean, pictured left, has nearly 30 years of publishing experience including running The Basis, a community magazine covering the Glastonbury and Street area in Somerset.

In an Editor’s message to readers of The New Stour and Avon, Dean writes: “I know what it takes to produce something that people will hopefully read and enjoy.

“Ultimately we’re here for you.”

Speaking to Dorset Biz News, Dean, 52, said he had been “absolutely amazed” at the response to news of the magazine reappearing again.

He added: “It’s clear people really missed it.

“I haven’t had much sleep in the last week and it’s difficult to be objective when you work on it.

“We’ll see in the next week or so what the feedback is but I’m pleased with the first edition.”

The contributors to the New Stour and Avon include Dorset Biz News.

We’ve agreed to provide a regular supply of business news.

The first issue features four pages of our stories under the strapline ‘Business Matters – Powered by Dorset Biz News’.

• The New Stour and Avon can be read online here.