Northcliffe Media has announced it is selling a monthly free newspaper in Somerset to Sir Ray Tindle, preserving five jobs.

Tindle Newspapers is buying the Chew Valley Gazette, based in Chew Magna, from Northcliffe subsidiary Bristol News & Media.

The Gazette will join the growing Tindle stable of more than 200 titles across which also includes Somerset weeklies the Midsomer Norton and Radstock Journal, the Wellington Weekly News and the West Somerset Free Press.

The five staff members of the Gazette who are based in the Chew Magna offices will transfer with the business and consultation with these employees is under way.

Northcliffe group managing director Steve Auckland said: “The Chew Valley Gazette fits well with Tindle’s portfolio and while we feel sorry to let the title go, this move means the business will continue to have a positive future.”

Sir Ray Tindle said:  “We are delighted the Chew Valley Gazette is joining the group. It has served the community well for some years and will continue to do so.

“The future of the Press in Britain is with the truly local newspapers.  I am grateful to Northcliffe for this opportunity.”

Vice chairman Brian Doel added:  “The Chew Valley Gazette will fit in very well with the Tindle papers in the area.  It already had the right philosophy and would be welcomed by all our colleagues.”

It is the second deal involving Northcliffe Media and Tindle Newspapers in just over a year.

In November 2010, Sir Ray bought the Forest of Dean based weekly paid-for The Forester from Northcliffe, before converting them into the Cinderford Forester and the Newent Forester.