NEWS savvy Brits love a good headline – and local news stories can come up with some of the best.
Over the years, local news readers have been blessed with hilarious headlines ranging from 'Police Called in to Creperie Battle' to 'Woman Finds a Hat in a Tree'.
But remove a word from the headlines and you might find yourself stumped to figure out what's missing.
A quiz made by newspaper and digital magazine app Readly recently tested Brits' love of local news – and found some surprising results!
If you love reading local news to see if its about anyone you know, you aren't alone, as 15% of adults admitted doing the same thing.
Nearly a fifth of people enjoy reading about crime in their local area, while others enjoy keeping up with local politics (16%) and human-interest stories (14%).
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The study, made to celebrate Readly adding regional newspapers to its platform, also found 59% of adults are loyal to their local newspaper.
And why wouldn't they be – with some of our favourite headlines including ‘foul mouthed parrot on the loose’, ‘police admit ‘biggest-ever’ cocaine haul is dental powder’ and ‘drunk fought invisible man.'
Also in the top 20 was: ‘I’ve been posting my letters in the dog poo box for TWO YEARS’, and ‘Hackney Pool too wet to swim.'
The quiz found that 55% of people have made headlines themselves, featuring in the local paper at least once in their lifetime.
Chris Crouchman, head of content at Readly, said: “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 humour to the heartwarming, local drama to local heroes, local reports keep readers smiling and entertained.”
Almost three quarters of people see local papers as important for keeping communities informed about current events.
More than one in seven have written into the newspaper ‘multiple times’, with 40% of them having their letter published at least once.
And 54% still have the clipping.
Despite 45% of adults not living in the area they grew up in, 16% of them still follow the news that goes on there all the time.
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It also emerged 63% believe it's important to support your local paper.
But while 47% are proud of their local publication, 31% believe this news service is underappreciated.
More than one in six of those polled via OnePoll agree local newspapers are the best way to keep up to date with local news.
Chris Crouchman added: “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 could have an impact on the community and allow people to engage in decision making within the area.
“Just because something isn’t ‘newsworthy’ on a national level, it doesn’t mean that the achievement is not worth reporting on.
“Without it, we wouldn’t have access to current events and up to date information that is important to us in our everyday lives.”
FUNNIEST LOCAL HEADLINES PEOPLE 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
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