Four jobs and a district office have been spared the axe at Staffordshire Newspapers, says the National Union of Journalists.

Parent company Iliffe News and Media announced in November it was looking to reduce its editorial payroll in Staffordshire by 15 and close four district offices.

Eleven editorial positions have been lost through voluntary redundancy or non-replacement and three offices are still to close but the NUJ says the company has told them the remaining four jobs will now not be axed.

It is expected that the offices in Swadlincote, Leek and Uttoxeter will be closed in due course but the Ashbourne base will remain open.

The National Union of Journalists said the company had planned to move to compulsory redundancies for the four jobs, promoting a union vote to ballot for industrial action, but last week changed its mind.

NUJ northern organiser Chris Morley said: “The ballot is continuing and the chapel will meet to decide their next move.

“But yesterday’s announcement – although it doesn’t go as far as we would like – shows that when a chapel is brave and determined it can save jobs and successfully stand up for journalism.”

Staffordshire Newspapers’ titles include the daily Burton Mail and the Staffordshire Newsletter, Your Leek, Ashbourne News Telegraph and Uttoxeter Advertiser.

Iliffe News and Media had not responded to a request for comment at the time of publication.