Sanoma Lehtimedia, a part of Sanoma Group's Sanoma News Division, sells its weekly and semi-weekly local papers to Länsi-Savo Group's Etelä-Savon Paikallislehdet Oy.The acquisition includes Keskilaakso (published in Anjalankoski, Kouvola), Joutseno (published in Joutseno, Lappeenranta), Kaakonkulma (published in Virolahti and Miehikkälä), Luumäen Lehti (published in Luumäki), and Pitäjänuutiset (published in Mäntyharju and Pertunmaa). The deal will be effective as of 31 December 2010.In future, Sanoma Lehtimedia will concentrate on the development of seven-day regional newspapers published in its operating area."This concentration strengthens our capability to develop the best local-level contents and media solutions for readers and media customers in our region, both in printed and electronic format," says Sanoma Lehtimedia's President Jarmo Koskinen.In addition to regional newspapers Etelä-Saimaa, Kouvolan Sanomat and Kymen Sanomat, Sanoma Lehtimedia publishes the seven-day paper Uutisvuoksi in the Imatra region.Another newspaper published by Sanoma News in the Kouvola and South Karelia region is the freesheet Vartti."By combining the strengths of regional newspapers and freesheets, we can offer flexible solutions for the needs of our media customers," Koskinen adds."We have a strong belief in the future of locally based newspapers. After this acquisition, the number of our local papers will be nine. A collection like this has excellent potential to guarantee the successful development and profitability of local papers, even in the future," says Länsi-Savo Oy's President Jukka Tikka.The staff of Sanoma Lehtimedia's local papers will be transferred to Etelä-Savon Paikallislehdet Oy and continue working under their existing terms of employment.More information:Jarmo Koskinen, President, Sanoma Lehtimedia Oy, tel. +358 5 2100 2001Pekka Soini, President, Sanoma News Oy, tel. +358 9 122 2000Jukka Tikka, President, Länsi-Savo Oy, tel. +358 44 0350 200Sanoma Lehtimedia belongs to Sanoma Group's Sanoma News Division.Sanoma News is the leading newspaper publisher in Finland, and its products in both print and digital format have a strong presence in the lives of their readers.