A regional publisher is closing two sister newspapers – including one that has been published for 150 years – and making them online-only operations.

Newsquest Scotland has announced the Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter and the Irvine Times will publish their final print editions next week.

The publisher says both websites will continue to be staffed and no jobs are at risk.

The final print editions of the papers, both of which had circulations of less than 650,  will be published next Tuesday.

The Times was first published in 1873, while the Reporter had been operating since 1964.

The move comes after ABC figures for 2022 showed the Times had an average circulation of 614, while the Reporter’s stood at 559.

A Newsquest Scotland spokesperson said: “The present and future is digital and far more readers now engage with the Irvine Times and Dumbarton Reporter on our digital platforms than in print – more than 200,000 people in April alone.

“Closing our print editions will allow us to focus our resource more on what our audience is telling us they want – breaking news, multimedia content and engaging newsletters while retaining a strong presence in our communities.

“We’re excited to have the chance to continue to serve the people of Dumbarton and Irvine with hard-hitting local journalism that holds power to account and stands up for our communities.

“We’d like to thank the loyal print readers and advertisers who have been with us on this journey – and we’re sure they will continue to support us during this transition.”