The View From group of free community newspapers, including the View from Weymouth, has a new owner.
View From Publishing Limited, launched by journalist Philip Evans five years ago, has gone into administration after experiencing financial difficulties due to the downturn in advertising revenue.
The publishing rights to eight titles in Devon, Dorset and Somerset have been acquired for an undisclosed sum by an unnamed businessman.
The businessman, who owns a successful publishing company in Hertfordshire and has other business interests in Dorset, intends to continue publishing the weekly View From titles in Weymouth, Dorchester, Bridport, Beaminster and Lyme Regis, with a combined distribution of 23,000.
The View Online website has also been acquired.
The identity of the new owner is not being revealed until he has met with staff.
Philip Evans said: “The new owner recognises that the Dorset titles are hugely popular with readers and advertisers and is committed to developing them in the future with a number of exciting ideas.
“The development of our paper in Weymouth, which is highly popular with our readers, is crucial in our long-term planning.
“It is quite clear from the dozens of messages we have received from readers and advertisers in Weymouth that they want an alternative media and we hope to strengthen our ties with thebestof Weymouth & Portland in the coming months.”
