Both the Leicester Mercury and The Sentinel, Stoke have moved from four editions to three while the Derby Evening Telegraph has moved from two editions to a single overnight edition.

In addition, the Telegraph has dropped the "evening" from its masthead and will now be known simply as the Derby Telegraph.

The move coincides with the switch in news and feature-page production to Nottingham as part of the plans for a regional subbing hub.

Editor Steve Hall said the morning edition of the Telegraph introduced more than three years ago has consistently out-performed the evening issue in circulation terms.

Breaking news during the day will now be covered on the paper's website, thisisderbyshire.co.uk.

Mr Hall added: "We will update the site more than ever before. This will also apply in the evenings and weekends.

"Our automatic response to any news break will be to get something immediately on to the web and we will continue to update developing stories throughout each day."

The Sentinel's three editions will cover Cheshire, Staffordshire Moorlands and a main edition which will be distributed throughout the paper's core area but which will not carry an edition seal.

Editor Mike Sassi said: "For several years, readers have chosen to buy their paper earlier and earlier. So we have decided to make a break with the past and give you what you want – a comprehensive and credible local news service at the start of the day."

The Mercury will publish a City edition available from 6am, and two county editions available from around 9.30am.

Managing director Steve Hollingsworth said: "Our hopes and aspirations are that the earlier print time will allow us to pick up important sales during the travel to work period."