JUDGING by the numerous stacks that appear each Friday around the region, this paper is popular with the communities it serves.

The Darlington and Stockton Times, founded in 1847, has been serving news, notices, adverts and food reviews for longer than any of its current readership can possibly remember. If, however, one was looking for gourmet journalism, this maybe is not the title to go for as it is more consommé than broth, more Minestrone than Mulligatawny.

However, as a starter to whet the palate, it suffices as it goes about informing its readership of things that have happened and that are due to happen in the locality.

The main course, like the starter, can sometimes lack meat, but it’s not pure vegetarian either. It is somewhere inbetween, something that will quell pangs of hunger, but not fill you up. This is more a grazing menu, popular with diners and readers alike where one picks at morsels before moving on to the next thing that catches the eye.

Not being a lover of desserts, I find the D&S's no sugar, no sauce approach to journalism each week to my taste. I would not dine on it every day, but if you're looking for an affordable informative local delicacy which will satisfy your nibblishness for news then the D&S will very often meet that need.

And I would recommend a large glass of 2015 Sauvignon Tongue In Cheek to accompany it.

Andy Bottomley, Bedale.