Johnston Press has announced proposals to close its printing press at Falkirk.

The group says the move follows a detailed review by Johnston Newspapers Scotland.

It is also proposing to transfer its pre-press operations at Tweeddale Press Ltd, publisher of the Berwick Advertiser and Southern Reporter, based at Berwick and Selkirk, to Edinburgh.

Under the plans, page planning at Johnston (Falkirk) Ltd, publisher of the Falkirk Herald, would also transfer to Edinburgh.

Consultation with affected staff is now under way.

The number of jobs potentially affected is said to be less than 40, with a number of new positions being created in Edinburgh.

In a statement, divisional managing director Michael Johnston said: “It is proposed that these measures will be completed by 24 August 2007.