RETAILER WH Smith has taken the decision to stop stocking The Northern Echo in some of its branches but copies can still be bought from all major supermarkets and newsagents.

This follows a move by the chain to try and impose fees on publishers in return for selling newspapers through its stores.

Readers are reminded that WH Smith is responsible for only a very small number of all copies of The Northern Echo sold each day and they can still find their favourite local paper at all of the major supermarkets, including Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and the Coop, as well as at newsagents across the region.

Robert Drummond, newspaper sales manager for Newquest, publisher of The Northern Echo, said: “We’re obviously very disappointed that WH Smith has decided to stop stocking The Northern Echo and depriving its customers from buying their local newspaper in its stores.

“We are working with other newspaper shops within the close vicinity to ensure readers can still get hold of their favourite newspaper each day and WH Smith will continue make it available through their magazine ordering service. 

"Readers wanting to know where their nearest, alternative Echo stockists are, can do so by contacting our newspaper sales team on 01325 505287.”

The Northern Echo's sister papers, including The Darlington & Stockton Times and Durham Times, are not affected.