Newspaper group Johnston Press is to buy Regional Independent Media for £560 million, it was announced today.

Johnston said the acquisition of RIM - the fifth largest regional newspaper publishing group in the UK by circulation - would consolidate its position as the UK's fourth largest regional newspaper group.

Roger Parry, chairman of Johnston, said: "This is a transforming acquisition for Johnston Press at a fair price."

Tim Bowdler, chief executive of Johnston, said the group did not plan to close any papers acquired.

He added: "We don't expect there to be a huge number of redundancies at all - we are talking tens of jobs."

Following the deal, Johnston will own 250 titles and employ 7,500 workers.

RIM owns 53 titles, comprising six daily, 29 weekly paid-for and 18 weekly free titles. Its flagship title is the Yorkshire Post.

RIM, which is strong in Yorkshire and north-west England, also owns and operates printing facilities in Leeds, Sheffield and Harrogate.

In addition to newspapers, its operations include a small portfolio of magazines and specialist titles, together with a direct marketing business.