ocal newspapers such as the Telegraph & Argus cut across all boundaries. The rich and famous and the ordinary folk alike turn to their local news provider to find out what’s happening in the places that matter to them.

And with the advent of news online – the T&A website telegraphandargus.co.uk is updated with as-it-happens news – people can turn to a trusted brand at any hour to find out the latest developments.

As well as breaking news, papers such as the T&A battle for their local communities through campaigns and awareness-raising projects, and that’s the theme of this year’s Local Newspaper Week – Making A Difference.

Here are some well-known people who have a few things to say about local newspapers:

Actress DAME HELEN MIRREN: Through their reporting on local events and performances, local and regional newspapers play an important part in promoting and sustaining the arts at a local level.

Theatres up and down Britain rely on this exposure and support from their local papers to communicate effectively with new and existing audiences.

Of course, this is not the only important function performed by local newspapers – they campaign on behalf of their readers, expose wrongdoing and corruption, and uphold free speech.

These are just some of the reasons why I am supporting this year’s Local Newspaper Week and I would like to wish all local papers and their readers the very best.

Olympic gold medal triple-jumper JONATHAN EDWARDS: Local newspapers are vital to the communities they serve because of the work they do to highlight important causes and issues.

By giving people who might not otherwise be heard a powerful voice, local papers can bring about real, positive change for individuals and organisations who badly need help but have nowhere else to turn.

In the age of social media in which anyone can be a publisher, local newspapers’ role as a source of trusted and accurate information has become even more vital.

The rapid growth of digital has also meant that local newspaper campaigning can achieve instant results.

Local newspapers were very important during my career as an athlete.

Not only do local papers raise the profile of grassroots sports but they also very play an important role in reporting the endeavours of athletes competing at the very highest level.

Only the local paper can fully reflect the pride and passion of a community when one of their own achieves something remarkable on the world stage.

Broadcaster and writer RICHARD MADELEY: I’ve been writing for a living since I was 16. My first job was as a cub reporter on a hot-metal special, The Brentwood Argus. The weekly Argus was the new kid on the block, determined to knock the stately, century-old Brentwood Gazette off its perch.

The Gazette had one of the new ‘web-offset’ presses so it could print in colour, but we didn’t care. Our editor, sub-editor and team of eight reporters, mostly in their 20s and 30s, knew we were the top team.

Of course, local radio has moved in on local newspapers’ patches, but the print guys have fought back, organising popular campaigns, fundraising for local charities, and still hungry for the all-important exclusive that can cause local newspapers to sell out in a morning and have those radio reporters running to catch up.

Readers who keep the faith with their local paper help keep the heart of their communities beating strongly.

Support your local sheriff? Sure. But support your local paper, too. Because you’ll miss it when it’s gone.

Olympian LIZZY YARNOLD: Local media plays an incredibly important role in making a difference to the lives of individuals in local communities across the UK in a way that no other media can – whether it is raising funds for a life-saving operation, campaigning to stop a sports centre from closing, raising awareness of a local charity or cleaning up a local park. Local newspapers act as a force for good in their communities, and can make a real difference to people’s lives.

Many local papers follow the careers of athletes in their local communities, helping to promote and publicise their development, sometimes all the way to a place in Team GB. Even before I started competing professionally, my local newspaper reported on my progress through the ranks and publicised skeleton racing. By supporting local sporting activities and celebrating local sporting talent, local newspapers play an important role in their local communities.