FIONA Bruce is one 41 MPs from across the political divide to sign a letter urging the Government to support local newspapers, including the Guardian.

Middlewich's MP is calling on the Government to increase the share of its spending on public health communications in local media.

The Conservative member for Congleton has signed a letter to both Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, and Oliver Dowden, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Mrs Bruce said: “Local newspapers, like our local Guardian series covering Middlewich and Holmes Chapel, are some of the most trusted sources of news for our communities and we must support them in this challenging time.

"They are vital to our efforts to respond and recover from the coronavirus and yet they are facing significant financial difficulties.

"This campaign aims for a fair share of government advertising spend to be with local and independent press, which would better reflect both their importance in our communities and their financial needs."

The letter, backed by MPs including former cabinet ministers and shadow ministers, highlights the importance of local press in communicating trustworthy information and the financial strain faced by the industry as a result of the pandemic.

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Mrs Bruce added: "The Secretary of State for Health has an important role in deciding where these advertising funds go.

"It is essential to get valuable and timely information about coronavirus to people in every part of the country and I hope that the government will get behind this campaign, which is backed by MPs from all sides of Parliament."

The letter calls for 'urgent clarification' from Government on how it can 'support and enhance local press despite current challenges'.

It says: "Accurate and timely information from trusted sources is vital during this pandemic.

"It is well-known that local press act as some of the most trusted sources of information for our communities.

"We believe that ignoring or limiting the use of these media outlets risks leaving our constituents with insufficient access to the trusted knowledge they need.

"Local media groups have been put greatly at risk economically by the current crisis."