A man who delivers thousands of newspapers every day has entrenched himself as the backbone of the community.

Tony Smith, from Cringleford, delivers roughly 2,000 papers a day from his unit in Hewett Yard off Hall Road with the help of his younger brother Kevin.

The 67-year-old bought the site, which he named News Direct, almost 25 years ago and has built his reputation on keeping the public up-to-date.

Tony said come rain or shine we do our utmost to get the papers outTony said come rain or shine we do our utmost to get the papers out (Image: Newsquest)

Tony, who's been in the trade since he was 18, said: "My mum and dad had a newsagents - a shop in Reepham Road, Hellesdon.

"I actually trained as a motor mechanic and got my apprenticeship but had the opportunity to buy a paper round which I paid £350 for and started from there.

"I got rid of the shops in the late 90s and started News Direct in 2000.

Tony's team delivers roughly 2,000 newspapers daily around the cityTony's team delivers roughly 2,000 newspapers daily around the city (Image: Newsquest)

"We sell the papers to shops, businesses and around 1,000 residential customers around the city.

"I really pride myself on the service I provide and do my best to keep people up to date who either aren't online or can't get outside.

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"Come rain or shine we do our utmost to get the papers out and we're grateful for all the continued support - it really keeps me going.

Tony has been in the newspaper trade since he was 18 working in his parent's newsagentsTony has been in the newspaper trade since he was 18 working in his parent's newsagents (Image: Newsquest)

"I've been doing it so long that most of my customers know me by name and I talk to them a lot."

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Despite only having "two or three years left" in the trade Tony believes the future of the written word will carry on.

News Direct was set up in 2000News Direct was set up in 2000 (Image: Newsquest)

He added: "I still think there's a future for print because there's still a lot of people - maybe if it's just once or twice a week - who want to have a physical newspaper in their hands.

"I can even see it get to a point where it starts to steady, possibly even rising, with people who see it as a possible quirky thing to have now and again."

 

Tony Smith with a copy of the EDPTony Smith with a copy of the EDP (Image: Newsquest)

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