YESTERDAY marked the end of an era as homes across Oxford began receiving their last ever edition of the Yellow Pages.

The directory, which was first published in 1966, will be moving to an online platform only, business owner Yell announced last year.

Households across the county can expect to receive their final edition of the Yellow Pages between now and October 4.

At one point the book was a vital tool for finding service providers and tradespeople, however the rise of the internet and social media have reduced demand for printed directories.

Environmental concerns had also prompted the launch of the Say No to Phonebooks campaign in 2009, calling for an “opt-in” scheme whereby only those who want these directories left by their door would receive them.

The final edition ever will be delivered in January 2019 in Brighton, where it was first published.

Speaking in September 2017, CEO of Yell Richard Hanscott, said: ‘‘After 51 years in production Yellow Pages is a household name and we’re proud to say that we still have customers who’ve been with us from the very first Yellow Pages edition in 1966.

“How many brands can say they’ve had customers with them for over 50 years?”

Meanwhile Yell.com will be at Westgate in Oxford this weekend and are offering a series of great prizes during their UK-wide consumer roadshow.

Mr Hanscott said: “We’re really excited to be bringing our #justyell roadshow to Oxford and sharing our Yell.com free digital app, giving shoppers the chance to win one of our amazing prizes, when they review a local business.

"Yell.com champions small businesses across the UK, and this is a great way for us to meet residents of Oxford and let them shout about the local businesses they love.”