The paper's disappearance from news stands followed a dispute between management and unions over manning levels and the introduction of new technology.

After talks broke down, the Times' Canadian owners, the Thomson Organisation, suspended publication last November pending an agreement.

Production of the four other publications in the Times group, including its sister paper the Sunday Times, was also suspended.

It was the first break in the production of the Times, known affectionately to its readers as "the Thunderer", since it was founded in 1788.

The dispute is estimated to have cost the Thomson Organisation more than £30m.

A settlement reached late last month paved the way for today's publication.

The Sunday Times is also expected to appear again this weekend.

'Tragic'

Prime Minster Margaret Thatcher has welcomed the Times reappearance "with enthusiasm".

Mrs Thatcher said: "The absence of the Times has been tragic and over-long."

About 500,000 copies of the paper were produced for the Times' first edition on Tuesday - an extra 200,000 on its pre-suspension print run.

The personal columns carried a long string of welcome-back messages from advertisers while readers announced births and deaths spanning the period of the Times' absence.

Three special obituary supplements are also planned as well as a news review covering the months the Times was out of print.

	E-mail this story to a friend