Newsquest Media Group, the publishing company responsible for around 300 UK newspapers including the Scottish Herald and the Northern Echo, is tipped to be put up for sale for around £1.5bn.

According the Sunday Express, US parent company Gannett is expected to appoint Credit Suisse to review the business in the face of an increasingly difficult market. The review is thought likely to lead to a disposal. 

Newsquest's portfolio consists primarily of weekly regional newspapers, although it also produces 18 daily titles. Gannet bought the business in 1999 for £1bn including debt, and has since increased the number of titles substantially with around £750m worth of acquisitions.

The company also has a significant online presence, through around 80 local newspaper and portal websites.

Newsquest employs nearly 9,500 people from twelve printing sites across the UK.