We've now got 30,000 Twitter followers
The Express & Star was today celebrating another digital milestone as our Twitter account crashed through the 30,000 follower mark.
Updating readers across the region around the clock with the latest news, sport and opinion, hundreds of people are signing up to the service every week.
Manned by our dedicated digital team and senior journalists, we highlight the biggest news stories of the day as they happen, as well as giving a unique insight into how the country's biggest regional daily newspaper is put together.
And as the account celebrated its 30,000th follower, the Express & Star now shares more news in more ways than ever before.
All of our news and sport journalists are now on Twitter and have thousands of followers between them, as they break news and report live from events across the region.
Whether it's the culmination of a big court case or a public meeting on the future of services in your area, we'll be tweeting the latest updates as they happen. What's more, you don't need to be on Twitter to keep up-to-date with what we're tweeting about.
A new section was added to the Express & Star website this week titled 'Newsroom Live', which shows what we've been talking about. Featuring every single one of the paper's writers and reporters, the running feed now provides updates from across the region in real time.
And it's not just our reporters who have been getting in on the act – our readers are getting more involved in the news than ever before, with your tip-offs and pictures helping us shape the news agenda on a daily basis. You've provided front-page pictures, from thunderstorms to fires, and alerted us to breaking news in your area within minutes of it happening.
And with our new Star Witness section highlighting the best content sent in by readers, there is also a £100 prize on offer each month to the best picture or video sent in. For those who prefer to get their news from Facebook, the Express & Star has got you covered as well.
Join the 15,000 people who have signed up to our page to get the biggest news stories of the day straight to their feed at facebook.com/expressandstar
Mike Woods, Head of Digital Editorial, said: "Our Twitter presence has gone from strength to strength since launching in 2008 and we are now bringing more news to more people in more ways than ever before.
Nothing brings home the changing face of news than our 30,000th follower – a Black Country expat who decided to swap his beloved Saddlers for sand.
Neil Breakwell, a Walsall fan who left for Dubai four years ago, may be thousands of miles away but still uses the Express & Star to keep up with events back home.
Mr Breakwell said: "I'm a bit of a grumpy tweeter and tend to use the site when I'm in a moaning mood – especially as I follow a lot of Walsall fans on Twitter.
"There are an awful lot of Brits out here – it's got one of the biggest populations of British ex-pats in the world. But there aren't many Walsall fans – I've met one so far, last year, so it's great to be able to talk to other fans online."
