Mirror Group in talks over future of the Echo's parent company

The publishers of the Daily Mirror have confirmed they are in talks about buying a minority stake in a new company that would take over the running of Exeter's Express & Echo and the Western Morning News in Plymouth.

It has been reported that Northcliffe Media, which owns the E&E and WMN, is considering a merger with another publisher, Iliffe News & Media, to form a new business called Local World.

The Mirror Group, which also owns more than 100 regional and local titles including the Liverpool Echo and Newcastle Journal, said it was in discussions about taking a minority interest.

News of the proposed merger between Northcliffe, the regional newspaper arm of Daily Mail & General Trust (DMGT), emerged over the weekend.

The Guardian reported that in a statement Trinity Mirror said: "Trinity Mirror plc can confirm it is in discussions towards taking a minority interest in a new company comprising the assets of Northcliffe Media, a division of DMGT plc and Iliffe News & Media, a division of Yattendon Group plc. No offer has been made and there is nothing further to report at this stage."

DMGT has also confirmed it is in talks to join the Local World joint venture.