At least four bidders remain in the frame for the titles in the UK, which include the Sunday Telegraph, and the Spectator magazine.

The UK titles, oft referred to as the crown jewels in the Hollinger empire, are understood to have attracted offers in the region of 600m-700m.

Other titles such as the Chicago Sun-Times and Jerusalem Post are though to have attained little interest.

German publisher Axel Springer has withdrawn from the bidding, leaving Daily Mail & General Trust, Press Holdings, 3i and private equity groups Apax Partners and Candover still in the running.

A spokesman for Northern & Shell said the fact that German publisher Axel Springer had pulled out of the race would not alter Express Newspapers stance with regard to the West Ferry printing plant.

The Telegraph and Express Newspapers jointly own the site, and the spokesman said Express Newspapers looks forward to working with any eventual owner of the Telegraph.

Express Newspapers owner Richard Desmond launched a "Nazi" outburst at a West Ferry finance committee meeting back in April this year, mocking the bid by Axel Springer (PrintWeek 29 April).

Bidders for the UK titles will now await confirmation from Hollinger as to whether they go through to the next round of the bidding process or not.