BRITAIN’S youngest newspaper The New Day closes its doors today after just nine weeks’ operation amid journalists’ and readers’ sadness and anger.

Most of the 25 members of staff are expected to lose their jobs after being hired on temporary contracts, while the rest are to be taken by the Daily Mirror, with which The New Day shares its parent company Trinity Mirror.

New Day editor Alison Phillips told her team the company had “tried everything” but was selling each day only around 40,000 of the targeted 200,000 copies.

Many journalists took to social media to send best wishes and solidarity to the New Day employees putting down their pens today.

ITV News presenter Mark Austin wrote on Twitter: “Sad to hear that Mirror’s New Day is to close after two months. Good people. Tough market.”

Sky News senior political correspondent Sophie Ridge added: “Sad to see the New Day close so soon.”

The New Day was launched shortly after The Independent and The Independent on Sunday newspapers went out of print and moved to digital-only production after 30 years on British newsstands.

National Union of Journalists organiser Chris Morley said: “This is a sad day for all at New Day — victims of the management’s speculative plan.

“Trinity Mirror should instead be investing in its stable of newspapers which need proper investment for quality journalism.”

Trinity Mirror shares have risen by nearly 8 per cent since the announcement.