'Standard Lite' set to be scrapped

Speculation is mounting that Standard Lite, distributed free at rail and underground stations in central London, will be ditched following the departure of its main architect.

It was announced last week that Mike Anderson, managing director of the Standard, who oversaw the launch of Standard Lite, was quitting to join The Sun and the News of the World.

One source said: "It would be fair to say Standard Lite's biggest champion is about to leave the company. The commercial equation is that it costs a lot of money to produce."

Standard Lite was launched in December 2004. Since then, the circulation of the Evening Standard has increased, due in part to its coverage of the Olympic bid and the terrorist attacks in the capital.