Northcliffe Newspapers has completed the purchase of a series of weekly newspapers based in Staffordshire.

The deal was given the green light when the Government gave consent for the deal in the middle of last month.

It sees the transfer of the publishing interests of the Hill Brothers Group, comprising the Leek Post and Times, Cheadle Post and Times, and Uttoxeter Post and Times. The titles have a combined circulation of around 18,000.

The sale will also include the Ad-News series of free weekly newspapers in Congleton and Biddulph; the Cheshire Community News - a series of eight free titles published monthly in Macclesfield, Romiley, Middlewich, Four Heatons, Wilmslow, Bramhall, Hale and Lymm; and a weekly Property Guide.

A statement from Northcliffe said: "The present owners, who include members of the family who have owned the Leek title since approximately 1900, have agreed to sell their shares in Hill Brothers to Northcliffe.

"Estimated net assets to be acquired amount to approximately £350,000."

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