The National Union of Journalists has demanded that Trinity Mirror reconsider its plans to axe 71 jobs at the Daily Record & Sunday Mail following the demise of the News of the World.

NUJ Scottish Organiser Paul Holleran has urged Trinity managing director Mark Hollinshead and the board to halt plans to cut jobs at the two titles in order for them to become the country’s premier daily papers.

The closure of the NOTW will affect 40 editorial staff at the newspaper’s office in Scotland as well as around 200 in London.

Mr Holleran told Mr Hollinshead that it was great opportunity for his titles to go on the offensive and challenge the News International fold.

He said: “The strategy of Anglicising the Record and Sunday Mail is flawed in our opinion and we believe the time is right to change from a position of making defensive cuts to promoting the Trinity Scottish titles as the premier daily papers in this country.”

Several politicians have already contacted Mr Hollinshead demanding that he should immediately freeze proposals to reduce the number of journalists at the two Scottish titles.

Talks between the NUJ and Trinity Mirror bosses are ongoing with the union trying to prevent up to 26 compulsory redundancies after only 45 people came forward for voluntary redundancy.

Trinity Mirror did not wish to comment.