Newspaper publisher Johnston Press has agreed to sell 13 titles in East Anglia and the East Midlands to Iliffe Media for £17 million.

Among the titles involved are the Bury Free Press, Suffolk Free Press, Newmarket Journal and Haverhill Echo in Suffolk and the Diss Express and Lynn News in Norfolk.

Also included are the Fenland Citizen (now based in Kings Lynn), Lincolnshire Free Press, Grantham Journal, Rutland Times, Spalding Guardian, Stamford Mercury and the Local (Bourne).

Johnston chief executive Ashley Highfield said: “This disposal marks a major milestone in our divestment strategy and puts us firmly on the path of refocusing our activities on areas with the greatest growth potential.

“The disposal will also reduce our net debt whilst putting us on a stronger footing.”

Iliffe Media already produces the Cambridge Independent which it relaunched earlier this year. The Iliffe family previously published the title for many years when it also owned the Cambridge Evening News, now known as the Cambridge News and owned by Trinity Mirror.