Regional newspaper publisher Midland News Association is to carry video news produced by ITN on its websites, it was announced today.

The owner of the Shropshire Star and the Express and Star will embed a specialist player which will enable them to carry the news clips on expressandstar.com and shropshirestar.com.

The initiative will be paid for by advertising provided by sales teams working for video search engine business Blinx, a partner of ITN, with revenues shared between Blinx, ITN and the MNA.

ITN’s video content is already taken by the MailOnline, ITN.co.uk and Express Group websites, but this is the first such deal involving a regional press group.

John Hardie, chief executiver of ITN, said: “I’m delighted to announce this new deal. It shows in practice how a national TV news provider can work with regional and local news suppliers allowing them to enhance their online output.

“I look forward to further partnerships with media outlets in regions throughout the UK.”

Chris Leggett, electronic editor for Midland News Association, added: “As the publisher of two of Britain’s biggest regional newspapers, the Express and Star and Shropshire Star, we are delighted to be leading the way by teaming up with a leading video news provider on this exciting project.”