THE Bucks Free Press got a foothold into the future when it launched its website a year ago and a steadily growing audience is using it to keep abreast of local affairs on a daily basis.

In January 2001, the site attracted fewer than 7,500 page impressions but its popularity grew more than tenfold , with last month's figures exceeding 100,000 per month.

When launching the site, the newspaper made the brave decision to upload its news and sport stories before they appeared in its printed editions to ensure website readers were kept absolutely up to date.

There were initial fears that newspaper sales would drop as readers were given the opportunity to read the news online for free, but this has not happened.

Digital news producer Audrey Wixon said: "Maybe when someone invents a computer you can fold up and put in your pocket that only costs 40p, then we'll have something to worry about.

"Our website is a useful tool for those who want continual access to fresh local news and information, particularly for those living outside of our circulation area, but it will never replace our printed editions."

The website really comes into its own when a big news story breaks in the area and reporters are able to use the site to unfold the story as it happens. Readers no longer have to wait until publication day to find out what's going on.

And some parts of the site enjoy steady popularity, such as News on the Blues which is dedicated to Wycombe Wanderers and the leisure section where you can find cinema listings and reviews, what's on, news from the music scene, cartoons, competitions, horoscopes and even a dating facility.

The site also features local advertisements for jobs, cars and property and a special section aimed at school-age children called Coolkidz.

BFP editor Steve Cohen said he was delighted at the way the site interacts with his group's traditional newspapers.

"The perfect example came this month when we covered an important inquest," he said. "The Bucks Free Press devoted about 2,000 words to this three-day hearing, but the paper had to be on the press two hours before the jury delivered its verdict at around 5.30pm on a Thursday.

"In the old days, readers would have had to wait until the following week to find out what the verdict was. But we were able to do a cross-reference on the front of the paper telling readers to look on the internet for the conclusion of the inquest.

"Sure enough, the verdict was on the site the very next day, with another cross-reference telling readers to look at next week's newspaper for further information. The internet has enabled us, in effect, to provide a daily, 24-hour news service. And that benefits both us and our readers."

Check out www.bucksfreepress.co.uk