The Alpha Newspaper group has become the largest publisher of regional newspapers in Northern Ireland following its acquisition of the share capital of the Northern Newspaper group.

The group has changed its name to the Northern Alpha Newspaper group following the transaction. Its chairman, Lord Kilclooney, would not say what the consideration paid for the Northern Newspaper shares was.

"This is a natural marriage between the Alpha group to the south and west of Northern Ireland, and the Northern group to the north and east of Northern Ireland," he said.

The two groups had about equal circulations and the new combined circulation is 120,000. The Alpha group had eight titles in counties Antrim, Armagh Down and Tyrone as well as Co Donegal in the Republic. The Northern titles were in counties Antrim and Derry.