The Newark Advertiser looks set to sell its printing division to local rival Mortons Print, of Horncastle, Lincs.

The company said it was in negotiation to sell the print division as a going concern. And it is expected the transaction will be completed in June.

A company statement said: "The Advertiser and associated newspapers will continue to be printed at Newark and their publication and ownership is not affected."

The print division offers black-and-white and full-colour production and uses a completely digital workflow, accepting artwork in PDF, EPS, InDesign, QuarkExpress and Freehand format.

Current business includes printing a range of weekly and monthly publications for regional publishers, newspaper format publications for local government, religious communities, advertising journals and "in-house" newspapers for major companies.

Mortons sold its newspaper titles, including the Horncastle News series, the Louth Leader series, the Skegness News and the Market Rasen Mail, to Johnston Press last year.

Until then the media side of the company was the core activity of Mortons Media in Lincolnshire. The group was built up between 1959 and 1985.

In April 2001, Mortons Media extended its involvement in classic magazine publishing by buying three monthly titles Old Glory, dealing with the world of steam power, Heritage Railway and Vintage Commercial Vehicles, the titles trading under the brand name Mortons Heritage Media.

May saw further expansion of Mortons Motorcycle Media Ltd, with the purchase of Classic Racer from RIM.

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
e-mail pastill@nep.co.uk