Regional newspaper group Newsquest has been criticised by the National Union of Journalists after figures showed the number of editorial staff dropped 17pc last year.

The latest accounts for parent company Gannett UK show the average monthly number of editorial staff fell by 327 – from 1,936 in 2008 to 1,609.

Gannett UK filed its accounts for 2009 with Companies House at the end of last month, which show total operating profit for the year was £71.7m, compared to a loss of £462m for 2008.

The NUJ is also unhappy Newsquest is proposing to close the final salary pension scheme and staff have not had a pay rise for more than 1,000 days.

Chris Morley, NUJ Northern and Midlands organiser, said: “Newsquest shares very little financial information with its employees and with the figures like these, we know why.

“The UK arm cannot continue to be the poor relation either within the group or its industry peers in this country.

“Good, loyal staff will vote with their feet if the cuts don’t stop and better pay and conditions are put on the table immediately. Our members are at breaking point so the company has been warned.”

The figures also show the highest paid director received a £108,000 increase in 2009, up from £501,234 in 2008 to £609,235.

And the cuts in overall staff numbers sliced the wage bill for Gannett UK from £197m in 2008 to £148m the following year.

Newsquest chief executive Paul Davidson had not responded to request for a comment at the time of publication.