elcome to the new website of the County Down Spectator! The Spectator has been bringing news and views to the local communities of the Borough of North Down in Northern Ireland since 1904. We've been with you through all the good times and the bad, the happy and the sad. We've advised you, laughed with you, cheered you on and we've been there when you needed a helping hand. The Spectator is for the people of North Down and, ultimately, by the people of North Down.

Times are changing though. From being your main source of news and information, 24/7 satellite news and the internet has meant that we've had to look again at how we can bring our valued audiences the support and interest that you now need. Our weekly newspaper will proudly continue but will now be joined by a range of digital publications, including this website, email and the main social media channels including Facebook and Twitter.

But more than that, we're going to evolve what we do to be better at what we've always done - to provide you, the residents of Bangor, Holywood, Donaghadee and everywhere inbetween, with a stage, a megaphone, a gallery - in short we're going to try to help give you the voice to say whatever you want within your community. We're going to help you make a difference...

Welcome to the new County Down Spectator online. Your community, your voice, your local audience!