IT is Local Newspaper Week – an annual event highlighting the important campaigning role played by local papers in communities across the UK.

The Bolton News has a proud history of campaigning on behalf of our readers – going back to our first edition in March, 1867.

Each day this week we will highlight some of the ways we have made a difference to Bolton — and today is about our online presence.

IN the internet age, everything moves faster — and that includes news.

The community Bolton knows it can rely on The Bolton News to find out what's happening fast.

When a major news story breaks, we aim to get it online within minutes so you can be first to know what's happening.

During the general and local elections earlier this month, our reporters were able to bring you the results within seconds of them being revealed at the count at Bolton Arena.

Web editor Julian Thorpe said: "Our election night live blog was read by thousands of people who were eager to know who would be making the decisions that shape their community, which not only provides a valuable service, but also increases people's engagement with politics."

We have reporters at all Bolton Council's full meetings and planning meetings, bring you live blow-by-blow accounts of what is happening.

Similarly, if there is a major crime, a big fire or a serious car accident in Bolton, our readers know they can come to our website first to find what has happened — and often it is thank to our readers that we know about the news as people send us messages via email, our website and our Facebook page and Twitter accounts.

Our website is read by more than 50,000 people every day, more than 16,000 people now like our Facebook page and more than 20,000 follow us on Twitter — and the numbers are growing all the time.

The quick spread of information also means appeals for help and information can reach those in need when they need in most.

When Karla Hornby, from Breightmet, prematurely gave birth to baby Freddie, weighing just 2lbs, while on holiday in Spain, the last thing she needed was to be worried about living and transport costs during Freddie's stay in hospital.

We publicised her fundraising appeal, and within days the generous people of Bolton had donated more than £5,000 to her cause.

And when 12-year-old Archie Parmenter’s custom-built wheelchair was stolen from the garage of his mother Sarah’s home in Brynmoor, Smithills, his mum, Sarah, came to us to appeal for help.

Just days later, thanks to one of our readers, the chair was found dumped less than a mile away from their home.

Mrs Parmenter said: “The response from The Bolton News readers following the article was absolutely amazing.

"We had lots of supportive and kind messages as well as generous offers to help fund a new chair."