Divisional managing director David Crow said the decision had been made after a review of press utilisation across the print division.

It is understood that several titles will be moved to Johnston Press plants at Dinnington in Sheffield, and Leeds.

The consultation period is expected to end by 22 March. If it goes ahead, it could affect more than one third of the 85 employees at the site.

Crow said: "In the event that this proposal goes ahead, we will endeavour to minimise redundancies through voluntary severance and redeployment. We have commenced consultation today with the individuals affected."

Johnston Press made 13 redundancies in late 2008, when it closed its Northampton facility. Since then it has closed its Kilkenny facility in Ireland and proposed the closure of its Caledonian Offset plant, Scotland.

Unite national officer Steve Sibbald said: "When the company said it had an announcement, we feared the worst. It was a relief when we heard it was just redundancies rather than a complete plant closure.

"I think all plants, apart from those advanced plants such as Broxbourne and Watford, have to accept that they are under risk."