The funniest local news headlines revealed - but how regional are you?

People consume local news an average of five days a week with 15 percent admitting they love reading it to see if it’s about anyone they know. Nearly a fifth love to read about crime in their local area, while others enjoy reading about local politics (16 percent) and human-interest stories (14 percent).

The poll of 2,000 adults by digital magazine and newspaper app, Readly, which now includes regional newspapers within its portfolio, revealed the local news headlines most likely to make people smile.

When given a list of funny local headlines, ‘foul mouthed parrot on the loose’,  ‘drunk fought invisible man’ and  ‘police admit ‘biggest-ever’ cocaine haul is dental powder’ were the nation’s favourite headlines, followed by ‘I’ve been posting my letters in the dog poo box for two years’ and ‘Hackney Pool too wet to swim in’.

It also emerged 55 per cent have made headlines themselves, featuring in the local paper at least once in their lifetime.

– It is important to know what is going on in your local area as you just don’t know how it could affect you on a personal level. The appetite for local news and community spirit is strong in a world post pandemic. From the humorous to the heartwarming, local drama to local heroes, these local reports keep readers smiling and entertained, says Chris Couchman, Head of Content at Readly

The study to celebrate Readly adding regional newspapers to its platform also found 59 percent of adults are loyal to their local newspaper, and 74 percent believe they are important for keeping communities informed about current events.

More than one in seven have written into the newspaper ‘multiple times’, with 40 percent of them having their letter published at least once and 54 percent still have the clipping.

Despite 45 percent of adults not living in the area they grew up in, 16 percent still follow the news that goes on there all the time. It also emerged 63 percent of those polled via OnePoll for Readly believe it is important to support your local paper and agree local newspapers are the best way to keep up to date with local news.

– It is great to hear that so many value their local newspaper, reading it alongside national news. That’s why we’re delighted to add 160 regional titles to the Readly platform so people can read alongside their favourite magazines and newspapers. Local news can have an impact on the community and allow people to engage in decision making within the area. Without it, we wouldn’t have access to current events and up-to-date information that is important to us in our everyday lives, Chris added

In response to the findings, a quiz has been created to find out ‘how news savvy you are to regional news’.

FUNNIEST LOCAL HEADLINES BRITS LOVE:

1.       Foul mouthed parrot on loose

2.       Police admit ‘biggest-ever’ cocaine haul is dental powder

3.       Drunk fought invisible man

4.       I've been posting my letters in the dog poo box for TWO YEARS

5.       Hackney pool 'too wet to swim'

6.       Man tried to sell himself on eBay

7.       Fugitive sausage dog causes mayhem

8.       Man freed after getting his head stuck in bin in Aberdeen

9.       Mystery of restaurant's exploding tea towels

10.   Neighbour fined for listening to Elton John

11.   Postman beaten by lavender bush

12.   Man stole woman's pants for 17 years

13.   Panic as man burns crumpets

14.   Exeter seagulls turned off my tv

15.   Delight as man grows banana in garden

16.   Crisps stolen in break-in

17.   Bananaman rescued from roundabout

18.   Warning over dangerous cupcakes

19.   Sex barn to be old people's home?

20.   Girl with eyepatch called a pirate by teacher

Readly has added over 160 regional titles to its platform which can be read as part of the subscription offering unlimited reading to a portfolio of over 7,000 digital magazines and newspapers.

Visit www.readly.com for more info.

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About the research:  The survey was conducted by One Poll, sample of 2000 adults online, June 2022

For more details contact: kate.tegelaars@readly.com or 07879 818 711

About Readly
Readly is the European category leader for digital magazines. The company offers a digital subscription service that lets customers have unlimited access to 7,500 magazines and newspapers including the catalogue of ePresse. Readly has subscribers in more than 50 countries and content available in 17 different languages. In collaboration with 1200 publishers worldwide, Readly is digitising the magazine and newspaper industry. In 2021, revenues amounted to SEK 466 million. Since September 2020, the Readly share is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm Midcap. For more information, please visit https://corporate.readly.com