Daily Mail group may buy 'Independent' local papers

Independent News & Media has been approached by Daily Mail & General Trust about buying some or all of the 23 local newspapers that it has put up for sale.

The approach came after Independent News & Media, the publisher of The Independent, agreed a £60m sale to Newsquest of the papers, which serve markets in London and the South-east. However, that deal was referred to the Competition Commission, which found that the sale of 10 of the titles could be against the public interest.

The watchdog ruled that the eight-strong Kentish Times series could not be allowed and it raised doubts over the sale of two other titles - the Hornsey Journal and North London Weekly Herald.

Northcliffe Newspapers, the local paper arm of DMGT, then approached Independent News & Media for the Kentish titles but it has asked the Department of Trade and Industry for permission to buy the lot.

A slimmed down deal with Newsquest remains on the table. Independent News & Media is now negotiating with regulators to see if the Hornsey and North London papers can be sold to Newsquest.

Northcliffe is primarily interested in the Kentish titles but it may make a bid for all 23 titles if a viable deal between Independent News & Media and Newsquest cannot be agreed.