The Bolton News is directing readers to the site’s forum area after closing commenting features on its news stories.

The site suspended the comments last month because of abusive posters, according to How-Do, but is now urging readers to contribute to the site’s forums.

A welcome post from David Crookes, part of the internet operations team at the paper, said the move would ‘bring reader reaction together in one place’.

“The changes have been made because of a minority of people who have insisted on spoiling our previous comment facilities,” wrote Crookes.

“That will leave the majority free to discuss topics, safe in the knowledge that their opinions will be respected.”

Anyone posting offensive or abusive messages will be immediately banned from the site, with persistent offenders reported to Internet Service Providers, Crookes added.