According to newspaper reports last Sunday, regional rivals Johnston Press, Trinity Mirror, Newsquest owner Gannett and Archant were in discussions about how they could work together to acquire the group, the regionals arm of Daily Mail & General Trust (DMGT).

Private equity groups are also said to be considering bids for NNG, making a carve-up of the group likely when it is sold again within three to five years.

NNG's new print centre in north Lincolnshire, which was due to run Wifag presses and replace sites in Lincoln, Hull and Grimsby, has been shelved following news of NNG's sale.

DMGT finance director Peter Williams said it would be "inappropriate" to continue work on the plant during the sale. He added DMGT planned to keep NNG's Stoke plant, one of 10 in the group.