A blue plaque celebrating the 240th anniversary of the Essex Chronicle was unveiled by the mayor of Chelmsford today.

Blue plaque honour - A horsedrawn carriage took Chelmsford mayor Ian Wright, the mayoress Mrs Carol Wright, Chronicle editor Stuart Rawlins, managing director Richard Karn, finance director Paul Newman and news editor Matt Adams to the ceremony in Chelmsford High Street

A horsedrawn carriage brought Chelmsford mayor Ian Wright, the mayoress Mrs Carol Wright, Chronicle editor Stuart Rawlins, managing director Richard Karn, finance director Paul Newman and news editor Matt Adams to the ceremony in Chelmsford High Street.

The borough council plaque is located on the front of the Marks and Spencer store near the site where the Chronicle was first published in 1764.

It was from this shop that William Struper launched the newspaper, now one of the biggest selling weekly newspapers in the UK with 140,000 readers.

The unveiling took place at 10am following the carriage ride from the Chronicle's Westway offices.

Chronicle editor Stuart Rawlins said: "The Chronicle has covered thousands of events, in millions of words, through the reigns of nine monarchs. Although it remains a traditional newspaper it is also looking towards the future, and I am sure we will be here in a further 240 years time.

"This event recognises the Chronicle's role in Chelmsford and the county during the past 240 years."

Published Thursday September 30, 2004

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