A regional newspaper publisher was yesterday accused of undermining local democracy with its continuing attacks on journalists’ jobs, announcing that four photographers face the chop just days before Christmas.

Edinburgh-based Johnston Press (JP) announced the redundancies of the photographers, serving eight newspapers, employed by Yorkshire Weekly Newspaper Group which it owns.

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has appealed for support for its campaign against the redundancies as it comes after the imposition of 19 editorial redundancies elsewhere in Yorkshire.

JP owns titles including the Yorkshire Post, Yorkshire Evening Post and Edinburgh Evening News where hundreds of jobs have gone.

The photographers work for titles including the Pontefract and Castleford Express and Wakefield Express.

“JP is not only taking jobs directly out of the communities our papers serve, but also undermines the ability of the remaining journalists to provide comprehensive, quality coverage that is vital to local democracy,” said NUJ Yorkshire weeklies representatives Georgina Morris and Don Mort.

“Our members believe passionately in the importance of local journalism but are being prevented from giving readers the level of news and sports coverage they deserve because of a lack of staff and investment in our papers — and any further jobs cuts will only add to this problem.”

Send messages of support to yorksweeklynuj@gmail.com and protests to JP chief executive ashley.highfield@jpress.co.uk and JP Yorkshire managing director Helen Oldham helen.oldham@jpress.co.uk