The first Welsh language edition of War Cry - The Salvation Army’s weekly newspaper – in almost 140 years is on sale now.

War Cry first came off the printing presses 139 years ago in London in December 1879 and it has been published every week ever since without fail.

The paper has carried stories about The Salvation Army’s work in Wales – from the support it provided for the community of Aberfan in the wake of the disaster in 1966, to its presence at the National Eisteddfod of Wales last year.

But this is the first time since the publication of a Welsh language edition in Caernarfon in 1889, that War Cry is available in Welsh.

“Bloedd y Gad is a milestone for The Salvation Army, which has been serving communities across Wales for over 140 years,” said Major George Baker – leader of The Salvation Army’s South and Mid Wales Division.

“And it’s fitting that this particular edition of Bloedd y Gad – a festive edition, is being published in Welsh – the language of the heart of so many of the communities of which we are a part, at a time of year when we are in tune with the good news of Christmas and our hearts are full of the spirit of Christmas”.

Y Lolfa publishing house in Talybont, near Aberystwyth, printed the publication.

See this week’s south papers for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now