The Keighley News really hits the heights - and young readers Hayley and Laura Marsden proved it.

The sisters are pictured reading the KN at one of the highest spots in France - Le Brevent, which is near Mont Blanc - and is 2,525 metres above sea level.

They are among a growing band of younger people who are reading the newspaper attracted by fun items such as our Where-in-the-World challenge.

How do we know more and more young people are reading the award-winning newspaper? Research by NOP has just been published which shows just how many thousands of readers we have, what age group they are in and their social background.

Further confirmation came with the announcement that our sales figures for January to June this year have risen yet again.

The research carried out in June and July covered the Keighley constituency area which has an 84,000 adult population.

Of that total a staggering 46,900 adults read the Keighley News.

Slightly more women than men read the KN and the background of readers - from professional groups to pensioners - is evenly split.

Keighley News Editor Malcolm Hoddy says: "The combination of the sales increase by the Audit Bureau of Circulations - the national body which monitors authenticity of sales - and the NOP figures is great news for us at the KN and our readers.

"The research shows that we are providing a news and information service which is valued by our readers.

"There is of course no room for complacency and we are constantly reacting to readers wishes.

"I am really delighted that more and more young people are reading the newspaper. We have made positive efforts to involve them in the content. Yet at the same time we are reaching an increasing number of more traditional readers.

"The next stage is to look more closely at the research results such as how long people spend reading the paper and make plans for the future."

This week a couple of readers were extra delighted. Brian and Marjorie Robertshaw of Riddlesden claimed a £350 cash prize by producing their winning Loyalty Card 2000 at our North Street offices.

The prize promotion runs until the end of the year.

This week's number can be found on page 2