KENT Messenger Group, the county’s leading media group and a major force in contract publishing and printing, is on the right tracks for growth after securing a significant new contract.

The Maidstone-based media group has been appointed by Connex to produce the train operator’s lifestyle magazine – UpFront.

Published bi-monthly, UpFront is aimed at rail travellers who live in Kent, East Sussex and South London and distributed through Connex’s 192 railway stations. The first edition published by the Kent Messenger team will appear in early February.

The free 64-page magazine, which will have a circulation of 150,000 copies, will highlight things to see and do in London and the South East, interviews with celebrities, cinema, book/DVD and gadget reviews, motoring, food and drink, and travel features. UpFront also contains articles about Connex and items relating to the railway.

Deborah Pester, Head of Communications, Connex, said: “UpFront Magazine is the best way we can candidly communicate with our passengers. We look forward to a long and rewarding relationship with KM Group, building a partnership that can ensure passengers in Kent are kept abreast of the issues that concern and interest them most.”

David Lewis, the Kent Messenger Group’s Chief Executive, added: “This is a major vote of confidence and reflects the investment made by the Group in both people and production. We’re obviously delighted.”