Newspaper group to cut 70 posts

A West Midlands newspaper group has announced that it is to cut 70 jobs.

Midland News Association (MNA) publishes the Shropshire Star, the Wolverhampton Express and Star and a number of weekly papers.

The group said a decline in the amount of money it makes from advertising means it has to cut overheads.

It has launched a voluntary redundancy scheme but if not enough people come forward then compulsory redundancies may have to be considered.

Staff at the two evening newspapers and associated weekly titles were told the news on Tuesday.

Colin Spicer, managing director of Shropshire Newspapers Ltd, said they are taking the action to protect the future of the company.

Staff working for the Shrewsbury and North Shropshire Chronicles, Newport and Market Drayton Advertizers, South Shropshire and Bridgnorth Journals could also be affected.