An independent publisher has announced across-the-board cover price increases at its newspapers due to the “rising cost of newsprint, energy and transport”.

Highland News & Media will increase the price of its papers by 10p in a move that will come into effect in three weeks.

A dozen of the group’s weekly titles in total are affected by the switch.

The share of the cover price offered to newsagents will increase pro-rata following the change.

The prices of the John O’ Groat Journal, Northern Times, Strathspey & Badenoch Herald, Northern Scot, Ross-shire Journal and the Friday edition of the Inverness Courier will all increase from £1.60 to £1.70 as a result.

Rises of £1.50 to £1.60 will be implemented at the Caithness Courier and Forres Gazette.

The Tuesday and Nairnshire editions of the Inverness Courier will increase from £1.30 to £1.40, along with the Banffshire Journal, while the Huntly Express will go up from £1.10 to £1.20.

And at the Banffshire Advertiser and Banffshire Herald, the increase is from £1 to £1.10.

HNM publishing director Steve Barron told HTFP: “Due to the rising cost of newsprint, energy and transport we have had to make the decision to increase the cost of our print titles by 10 pence.

“The profit paid to retailers on each copy sold will increase pro-rata. A growing number of our readers are switching to a digital subscription which delivers excellent value.”