Johnston Press deal probed

THE Competition Commission today embarked on a full-scale, multi- million pound investigation into the acquisition of eight little-known free newspapers.

It has published a 24-point statement of issues which it will investigate into whether a change of ownership in the papers, ranging from the Peterborough Herald & Post to the Ilkeston Trader, will harm competition in the east and north Midlands market.

Johnston Press, a big player in the area, bought the titles from Trinity Mirror for £16m last year.