Thirty-six editorial posts at the Bristol Evening Post and Western Daily Press headquarters look set to be made redundant under plans to make changes to the Northcliffe titles.

A further 11 could go at the company’s Plymouth titles, the Evening Herald and Western Morning News.

Both cities have their morning and evening newspapers in the same building.

Strategists from the Aim Higher cost-cutting programme have been looking at the way the Bristol newspapers and the Plymouth titles work and to identify areas in which to make savings.

Posts in the sports departments and picture desks are under threat. The Evening Post/WDP subbing operation could also be merged, as could that at the Evening Herald and WMN.

Staff were told on Friday but the proposals have not yet been finalised. The consultation will get under way soon but no decisions have yet been made.

Management at the Bristol titles declined to comment on the proposals.

Union representatives were unavailable.

Northcliffe’s Aim Higher is an efficiency project focusing on ways to save at least £20m a year.

The two-year initiative is looking at policies, processes and structures across all areas of the business.