The editor of the Liverpool Echo has publicly defended controversial plans which could see around 100 printing staff in the city lose their jobs.

Editor Alastair Machray wrote a personal plea to readers after the Trinity Mirror-owned paper received dozens of e-mails and calls complaining about the proposed move.

Earlier this month, it was revealed that printing of the Echo and Liverpool Daily Post could move to Oldham.

If given the green light, there would be around 100 redundancies, although it is hoped some staff will take up jobs at the Greater Manchester plant.

Renovation and extension work would be carried out to the Oldham printing plant at a cost of £7.5m whereas similar work in Liverpool would cost £28m.

Alastair said on the Echo website: "People were distressed that the decision would mean up to 100 redundancies and end a rich tradition of printing in the city. We understand that – no-one was more distressed than us.

"It's the only decision we could take. Our first thoughts are with those who may lose their jobs and we hope a number of them will relocate to Oldham.

"But we need a new press or our advertisers will go elsewhere.

"If we took the Liverpool option it would be commercial suicide and would have meant hundreds more job losses."

Alastair goes on to reassure readers that only the printing element of life at the papers would move to Oldham with editorial staff staying put in the north-west city.

"We've been here for 153 years and in that time we've provided thousands upon thousands of people with jobs," he added.

"That's the plan for the next 153 years but the only way we can continue as a major employer is for people to rally round and support their local paper.

"This is a paper that has fought for this city for over 125 years. Over those years we have waged countless campaigns on behalf of Liverpool and its people.

"Currently we are close to helping raise £100,000 in memory of Rhys Jones, the 11-year-old gunned down last year.

"We will continue to provide Liverpool with the paper it deserves and we are committed to our journalism remaining at the heart of the city, both culturally and physically."

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