Journalists in Southampton have voted to join colleagues in the North West, London and Brighton in taking action over pay and job cuts.

Four National Union of Journalists chapels within the Newsquest group of regional papers have already voted this week to take action over a range of issues.

Now they have been joined the Southampton-based Newsquest (Hampshire) chapel which includes the Southern Daily Echo.

The union announced this afternoon that the chapel voted by 89.7pc for strike action.

The vote follows the loss of six sub-editing jobs at Newsquest (Hampshire) following the decision to switch production of Brighton daily The Argus from there to a subbing hub in Weymouth.

NUJ members at Brighton have also voted in favour of taking action.

The two North West chapels in Warrington and Blackburn voted for strike action earlier this week in the ongoing dispute over the transfer of production to the subbing hub in Newport, South Wales.

And the South London Guardian chapel has also voted to strike over pay and the proposed closure of the Elmbridge Guardian in Surrey.

Laura Davison, NUJ national organiser, said:  “This fifth ballot for strike action should be sending a strong message to the Newsquest management that their staff have had enough of pay freezes, job cuts and an attack on their professionalism.

“They are sick of having their dedication and skills disregarded by a management more interested in squeezing out profit for the American owner’s shareholders.

“They want to see their local papers producing quality journalism at the heart of the communities they serve. So far Newsquest’s chief executive has refused to answer our call for talks to discuss these disputes.”

The chapels are now meeting to discuss the form and timetable for action.  No-one from Newsquest has so far been available for comment.