The View From group was built up from scratch by Philip Evans after he left Tindle-owned Pulman's Weekly News five years ago.

Now Mr Evans has sold four of his titles covering the towns of Axminster, Seaton, Honiton and Crewkerne to Tindle Newspapers Ltd in a deal that will safeguard 20 jobs.

It is the latest in a series of acquisitions by Sir Ray who bought three South Essex weeklies last year and 27 local London titles from Trinity Mirror in 2007.

The four View from titles, together with Pulman's Weekly News, will be published as a group from their existing offices in Axminster, offering local advertisers a paid-for and free distribution package.

Editorial for the newspapers will be supervised by Pulman's editorial manager Kate Mew with the advertising, production and distribution facilities being based in the View From offices in Lyme Regis.

Mr Evans will continue publishing other View From titles in Lyme Regis, Bridport, Beaminster, Dorchester, Chard, Ilminster and the Blackdown Hills.

Companies House now lists Tindle Newspapers Ltd has having a majority shareholding in View From Publishing Ltd with 102,000 shares to 44,000 still owned by Mr Evans and his wife.

News of the takeover was carried on the front page of yesterday's edition of View From Axminster.

Brian Doel, managing director of Tindle Newspapers commented: "We are delighted to have added the four excellent View From titles launched by Philip Evans to our stable of weekly and monthly publications throughout the UK."