Up to eight newsroom jobs are at risk in the Kent office of a regional publisher because of "challenging trading conditions."

KOS Media, part of the Suffolk-based Archant Group, has confirmed that editorial roles are being reviewed and eight jobs could go from the existing payroll of 24. But managing director Paul Stannard said eventual job losses could be fewer.

KOS Media, publisher of Kent on Sunday and a number of free local titles, was taken over by Archant earlier in the year for an undisclosed sum. It had held a minority stake in the business, which operates from Smeeth, near Ashford, since 2005.

In a statement, Mr Stannard said: "We are reviewing all roles and structures throughout the editorial department due to the current economic forecasts and challenging trading conditions.

"We are consulting with the affected staff to discuss the proposals and see what other suggestions they may have about the future structure of the department.

"There are potentially a maximum of eight jobs at risk."

He added that all the publishers' titles and online services would remain in the market.