Around 17 editorial jobs are under threat at three regional titles in Scotland as part of efficiency savings, it has emerged.

The Herald, Sunday Herald and Evening Times are seeking voluntary redundancies from their pool of production and photographic staff as they introduce new technology such as templates to improve ways of working.

The National Union of Journalists says it is “very concerned” at the proposed cutbacks.

But Tom Thomson, managing editor of the Newsquest-owned Herald & Times group, said the changes were part of “improving efficiency” across the company.

“We are introducing new technology, we are changing workflow and shift patterns to make the operation more efficient,” he said.

“It is part of improving efficiency in the company. It is also moving things into line with modern industry processes.”

NUJ Scotland organiser Paul Holleran said:  “There are not enough journalists in place now and we are very keen to see the full proposals for the restructuring required to deal with the job losses.

“I have pointed out that the practice of introducing new technology at the same time as making redundancies has been shown not to work across the industry.

“Management say they have no option as savings have to be made, yet Gannett are in the middle of paying out massive dividends to shareholders in the US.

“We will now be entering into consultation and working to minimise the redundancies and make sure the new structure can work as well as practically possible.”