Trinity Mirror Merseyside publishes two dailies – the Liverpool Echo and Liverpool Daily Post – and 14 weeklies including the Southport Visiter, Formby Times, Crosby Herald and Skelmersdale Advertiser.

“The changes reflect the pressures all parts of the media sector are currently experiencing due to the ongoing economic downturn,” a Trinity Mirror spokesman said.

“As a consequence it is estimated that there will be a reduction of approximately 17 job roles in the editorial department, with as many of these redundancies as possible to be identified by voluntary means. Staff were today informed of the decision and those affected have now entered a period of consultation.”

Sara Wilde, managing director for Trinity Mirror Regional North West and Wales, added: “It is vital that we continue to make and take these difficult decisions and I believe these changes will ensure we have a viable, robust and thriving business which continues to provide jobs and media services to the communities we serve.”

Around 25 percent of Trinity Mirror Merseyside’s editorial staff - 175 at the time - were cut a year ago as part of a cost savings drive across the company’s north-west and Wales division.