From Tuesday, February 15, a Herald digital subscription will unlock access to all of the news, sport, opinion and lifestyle reading produced by the Herald as well as all of the local community coverage of publisher ACM's other trusted mastheads in the region: The Maitland Mercury, Port Stephens Examiner, Cessnock Advertiser, Dungog Chronicle, Singleton Argus, Hunter Valley News, Scone Advocate and Muswellbrook Chronicle.

From Tuesday, new visitors to newcastleherald.com.au will be invited to register to be able to read five free articles a month. Existing subscribers will enjoy the extra coverage of these Hunter communities at no extra charge.

Herald subscription packages will include access to the digital replicas of all of the region's weekly newspapers as well as each day's edition of the Herald, allowing users to flip through every page of their favourite papers and view articles as they appear in the printed version.

The Herald's refreshed website design draws heavily on the feedback of hundreds of online users in the Hunter who have tested its features over the past few months.

With a sleek and uncluttered look and new streamlined functions, the site is designed to make it easier to find the latest news and enjoy and share your favourite reading.

The site will be faster to load and easier to read on your smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop, ensuring that your favourite news, sport and other local reading is optimised for viewing on any device wherever you are.

The Newcastle Herald is one of the 14 daily newspapers published by ACM, Australia's largest independent media company.

The ACM network of 140 mastheads stretches into every state and territory, reaching 6.4 million regional, rural and suburban Australians a month.