Founder of Britain’s first free newspaper dies aged 73

Did you pick up the Metro or one of the other 600 free newspapers available in Britain on your way to work this morning?

If so, you have former journalist Tony Mather to thank for he, along with businessman Lionel Pickering, founded the country’s first free paper back in 1966.

As editorial director of the Derby Trader group, he oversaw the launch of that title and nine other regional freesheets across the Midlands.

Free newspapers, which rely on advertising for their income, are growing in stature thanks to titles like the Metro and London Paper and it has been speculated that in the future all papers will be free.

However, small regional titles are suffering and the Derby Trader was recently among eight loss-making papers closed down by owners Trinity Mirror.

Mr Mather died on Monday (1 December) aged 73.