Almost 30 jobs are set to go at regional publisher the CN Group, it emerged today.

The Carlisle-based group, which publishes the Cumberland News and the News & Star in Carlisle and the North West Evening Mail in Barrow, has told staff that up to 29 jobs are at risk of redundancy.

It is understood that around 12-16 of the jobs are based at Carlisle, and a further 10-13 at Barrow.

The possible cuts together with a proposed pay freeze come as the group looks to “ensure a stable financial position in 2011.”

Chief executive Robin Burgess told staff in a statement: “2010 was not a good year for our business, advertising revenues overall continued to fall although not as sharply as in 2009.

“This along with a 22pc increase in the price of the paper we print on has meant we have to further cut our costs to ensure we remain a viable business.

“Opportunities to grow our business do exist and we will be developing these in 2011 but we must ensure our core local newspaper, digital and radio businesses are sound.

“These decisions are very sad and difficult for a group such as ours. We regret having to take them and the affect it will have on the lives of those involved.

Mr Burgess added: “We have tried to keep the numbers to a minimum both to minimise the affect on our staff as well as keeping the quality of our output up to the standard our readers and listeners expect.”

The company is now in a formal consultation period with staff and unions.