Thirty years later, the black and white seven-page leaflet has been transformed into a colour brochure of up to 70 pages.

Recently having captured the imagination of people living in the town with instalments of Andy Culyer's travels in South America, editions of the magazine are still vanishing from the shelves as fast as they are stocked up.

Judy Shepherd, who works in the library in Eye, said that the magazine has always been popular.

"They go very quickly. In fact, people are usually very lucky to get one," she said.

From local event listings to regular council updates, the Eye magazine keeps people up to date with what is happening in the area, and it is this that keeps it popular, according to Mrs Shepherd.

"It is interesting to people from the surrounding villages too, as well as people living in Eye," she said.

But the magazine's success can also be attributed to the faces behind the magazine – the editors.

Current editor Tracy Amies has a passion for writing and – since settling down in the area – for all things local.

"Working on the magazine is something I have always wanted to do," she said.

"I have grown up reading it and it was always something we were aware of as children growing up in Thorndon."

Having moved to Surrey, Durham and Evesham, Miss Amies has now settled back with her family in Eye and has delved into her role as editor.

"I think I'm a frustrated journalist really," she said.

"I'm very opinionated and so I get to say my little bit. You become more interested in your local community as you get older, and we have put down roots in Eye."

She added that one of the most interesting things about working on the magazine is receiving the feedback.

"I like it when people contribute," she said. "It can be letters, poems or photos. The more I can get people from the town contributing – the better it is. People actually want to read the magazine, which is what I wanted. "

The magazine also contributes to local community groups in the form of grants, making it a truly local project.