NEWSQUEST plc, the largest regional newspaper publisher in England and owner of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, is pleased to announce that it has agreed to acquire Review Free Newspapers Limited for £6.07 million which will be satisfied as to £4.87 million in cash and £1.2 million in Loan Notes. The acquisition is subject to approval by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

Review Free Newspapers had a turnover of £3.51 million in the year to December 31, 1997. Founded in 1973, the Group is based in St Albans and publishes three free newspapers, delivered to more than 128,000 households in Hertfordshire. The Review titles serve the important towns of Watford, St Albans, Welwyn and Hatfield.

Already this year Newsquest has acquired: Contact A-Car in Sussex; the London Property Weekly Series, covering a quarter of a million homes around South London; and the Warrington Mercury, whose acquisition was approved by the DTI last week.

Commenting on the acquisition, Jim Brown, Executive Chairman of Newspapers said:

"These are excellent newspapers, long established in their communities and a perfect strategic fit with Newsquest's existing portfolio of leading titles in London and in the Home Counties."

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