THROUGHOUT the coronavirus outbreak, staff at the Gazette and Herald have been working to make sure our readers get the latest local news on what is happening in Wiltshire - just as we have done for over two centuries. But like many businesses, we too have felt the economic effects of the pandemic.

These days many readers prefer to get their news online, whether on a smartphone, tablet or social media. Now we are asking readers to back us, by signing up to our new online digital subscription scheme, so you can continue to get all your news for only £1 a week.

You the readers value the Gazette - and have followed our coverage of a brave youngster Carmela Chillery-Watson, who suffers from a rare form of muscular dystrophy.

She does so much with a positive attitude even though she is fighting a losing battle and since lockdown she has provided weekly therapy exercise videos on social media to help others like her who can't visit their physiotherapists. She is an advocate for Muscular Dystrophy and does lots of fundraising for MDUK.

She is pictured here having just been nominated for Positive Role Model in the disability category with ITV National Diversity Awards. This is the link to Carmela's area to vote for her.

https://nationaldiversityawards.co.uk/nominate/27978/

Editor Pete Gavan said: “We’ve been covering our communities for generations but we’ve never faced a threat like we do today.

‘The coronavirus outbreak has significantly hit our revenues and newspaper sales as we need your support to make sure we’re here for generations to come. The work my reporters do week in week out cannot come for free online – quality journalism must be paid for. And so that’s why we’ve got our new digital subscriptions.

“If you value local journalism and its future I’d encourage you to take one out – it’s just £1 per week. Thank you.”

Go to https://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/subscribe/