A local review of the editorial operation in Trinity Mirror's north-west regional operation looks set to result in the shedding of nine full-time and one part-time post.

At the same time, eight new positions will be created in the area, which includes Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales.

The bulk of the job losses will be at the Merseymart and Star free weekly series, which will see the loss of five posts, one of which was vacant.

Two new roles, of news editor and community reporter, are being created reporting to Merseyside Weeklies group editor Jane Daly.

Staff have been told about the changes and consultation is under way. The company hopes compulsory redundancies will be kept to a minimum.

A Trinity Mirror spokesman said the review would lead to changes which would improve the efficiency of the editorial department.

He said: "It will free up talent in the editorial team to concentrate on creating an even stronger editorial performance."

The north-west review is separate to that being carried out by chief executive Sly Bailey, the results of which are due next week. Commentators are predicting job cuts across the company's national operation, as well as the possible sale of titles.

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