NEWSQUEST, owner of The Northern Echo, The Darlington & Stockton Times and the Advertiser series, is poised for further expansion following the news that it is to acquire a further 45 titles.

Gannett UK, Newsquest's parent company, announced that it has agreed to acquire the Greater London regional publishing business of Independent News and Media.

The business publishes 45 weekly newspaper titles - 29 paid-for and 16 free - including the Post Series and the Kentish Times Series. Weekly circulation/distribution is in the order of 750,000 copies.

The proposed £60m deal is subject to the approval of the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

Approximately 275 people are employed by the business.

Doug McCorkindale, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Gannett, said: "We are delighted that the Independent Regionals Business will become part of Gannett.

"These publications will complement our portfolio in London and offer significant opportunities for growth."

Paul Davidson, chief executive of Newsquest, added: "These titles will combine superbly with our existing publishing and printing operations.

"We share the strong commitment of the management and employees of the Independent Regionals Business to provide quality local newspapers to readers and advertisers in their communities."

Independent News & Media acquired its first interest in UK regional newspapers in the early 1980s and progressively built the division up through subsequent acquisitions.

It is hoped the sale will be completed by the end of June.