NEWSQUEST Media Group, publishers of the Worcester News and one of the leading regional media groups in the UK, has acquired Romanes Media Group, a local news publishing business operating in Scotland, Berkshire and Northern Ireland, for an undisclosed sum.

The Romanes newspaper portfolio comprises one daily, 19 weekly paid-for's and nine weekly frees, and associated websites, and the company employs 270 staff.

Henry Faure Walker, Newsquest chief executive, said: "Newsquest is focused on building one of the leading local multi-media publishing businesses in the UK. We operate in separate markets but this portfolio of good quality weekly titles provides a strong fit with plenty of opportunity.”