The Periodical Publishers Association (PPA) is to spend 1m on a billboard and magazine insert campaign against the distribution deal between Tesco and W.H. Smith.


The posters will be situated near the retailers premises to highlight what the PPA describes as censorship.


W.H. Smith and Tesco plan to use national distribution for their supply, arguing that the current local monopoly system is inflexible and allows the publisher to dictate quantities and titles supplied.


The PPA will highlight the fact that leading titles could be barred by the groups if their publishers do not sign up. Chief executive Ian Locks said: "The possibility of a supermarket controlling the supply chain, and therefore access to information and reading material is extremely frightening."


Story by John Davies