Newsquest plans to shut down its Citizen series of free weeklies in Blackpool, Preston and Lancaster, United Kingdom. Up to 11 editorial jobs may be affected, according to The Guardian.

The plan was announced last week, as the Gannett-owned publisher plans to drastically cut its regional newspaper business in the north-west of England, including closing 11 papers.

Some non-editorial roles, such as those in the ad sales team, may also be at risk.

"There is real anger and it comes from abandonment of communities like Blackpool and Preston, it has given Johnston Press a monopoly in these towns. We're all shell-shocked good journalists are being put on the scrapheap," according to a Newsquest north-west employee, The Guardian reported.

The independent regional publisher Cumbrian Newspapers Group also confirmed in the north-west of England that it will add the number of redundancies necessary across the company to 40, after its announcement of around 30 job cuts and salary freeze last month.

"Unfortunately we believe this number of redundancies is necessary to ensure a viable business going forward. We have now started formal consultation on these proposals," said the CN Group Chief Executive Robin Burgess, The Guardian reported.