The plans, announced to staff at 2pm today, will mean the loss of 16 van drivers' jobs and three transport supervisors on top of four editorial roles being axed as part of the move to a streamlined multimedia operation.

Editorial management and production roles will be scaled back, but editor Roy Wright says the paper will retain a strong network of frontline newsgatherers.

He said: "The changes are both radical and necessary. Recent research shows there is strong demand for the Examiner to be available earlier in the day.

"Driving the digital changes is our commitment to remain at the forefront of the digital revolution while ensuring that readers don’t see any detriment to the Examiner or Weekly News.

"We will still have a strong network of news gatherers but the new streamlined structure means we can scale back editorial management roles and back-room production staff."

Trinity Mirror Huddersfield managing director Warren Butcher added: "These changes will enable us to continue to develop the vibrant, entertaining and informative brand of the Examiner which is at the heart of the community in Kirklees, while adapting to the needs of the digital age."

The company is now entering into a period of consultation with all affected staff.