The printing of three weekly newspapers on the Isle of Man is to be switched to the mainland with the loss of up to seven jobs.

The move announced by Johnston Press-owned Isle of Man Newspapers yesterday affects the Isle of Man Examiner, the Manx Independent and the Courier.

All three titles will now be printed at JP’s Dinnington plant near Sheffield.

The decision was announced yesterday afternoon by Isle of Man Newspapers managing director Helen Byrne.

In a statement she said the board said the decision came at the end of a detailed review of the current printing process, and that the benefits of moving to a modern giant press outweigh leaving things as they are.

The change will mean the loss of up to seven full time printing staff and also a number of casual workers.

The current press at Peel Road on the island produces a maximum of 48 tabloid pages while the Dinnington press is capable of printing 192 pages in full colour.

Said Helen:  “Ideally, printing would remain on the Isle of Man but the benefits of moving to a modern press plant greatly outweigh leaving things as they are.  Readers and advertisers will really see the difference.”

But Bill Dale, a former editor of the Manx Independent, said:  “It’s a shame the newspaper is in such a state that you can’t print it locally.

“It’s the first time there has not been a newspaper printed on the Isle of Man in memory.  It’s a bit of a sad day.”