The first edition of Shrewsbury Today will hit the streets on May 9 packed with news and analysis, features, lifestyle news and listings for the county town.

It is being put together by publisher Sarah-Jane Smith – editor of the successful Shropshire Business Today magazine and for ten years the editor of the Shropshire Star – and editor Jon Simcock, himself a deputy editor at the Shropshire Star for 12 years.

Up to 10,000 copies of the new 60-page free magazine will be distributed in the town centre and selected estates and villages.

Jon said the bi-monthly magazine would be produced in Shrewsbury, for Shrewsbury people, and had already met with an amazing response.

“We all know that Shrewsbury is an absolutely fabulous town with a real can-do attitude. Our magazine will reflect that by combining exclusive news coverage with in-depth analysis of the town’s big issues, the best coverage of lifestyle issues and comprehensive listings of everything going on in town.

“The response we have received from readers, advertisers and businesses in Shrewsbury while we have been setting up the magazine has been phenomenal. It is clear that there is a real demand for a magazine produced in Shrewsbury, about Shrewsbury and which supports Shrewsbury.”

Jon said the magazine would be supported by a website – www.shrewsburytoday.co.uk – and a twitter feed @shrewstoday.

Sarah-Jane said: “Jon and I have worked together for many years trying to ensure that Shrewsbury receives the special media coverage we both believe it deserves. It is therefore a privilege to be able to launch Shrewsbury Today, a magazine dedicated to the county town of which we are both so proud.”