Claims over future of newspapers

A union has called on newspaper owners to "come clean" about what it says are plans to close up to eight titles.

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) said internal company documents have shown Trinity Mirror wants to shut eight weekly titles in the Midlands.

Other measures include reducing the daily Birmingham Post to a weekly or twice weekly paper in September.

"If we do have any plans to announce, our staff would be the first to know," a Trinity Mirror spokesman said.

"We are constantly reviewing our business, particularly in the current challenging economic environment."

The union claimed an announcement over weekly titles was expected in the next few days.

Planned editorial cuts were expected to reduce expenditure by a further £2.5m following cuts of £2m made last year, the union added.

NUJ general secretary Jeremy Dear said: "The company needs to come clean about these disastrous plans and the community needs to stand up for quality journalism."