Independent Newspapers has made no decision on making a bid for Southern Publications, a British free local newspapers group, a spokesman told The Irish Times yesterday. Tenders have to be in by Thursday and Independent Newspapers is considering what moves to make.

Southern Publications is part of the regional newspaper division of United News & Media which is up for sale. Some media reports over the weekend suggested that Southern Publication had been sold to Independent Newspapers, with price tags ranging from £25 million to £45 million. However, Independent Newspapers will not decide until nearer the tender date. Southern Publications has 30 advertising-based titles in London with a turnover of some £30 million. Titles include Informer in west London and the Yellow Advertiser in Essex. Trinity International, the regional newspaper group which owns The Sunday Business Post and The Belfast Telegraph, is one of the front runners to buy the northern division of United News. The titles in that division include the flagship Yorkshire Post and generates a sale of some £140 million. The consideration is expected to be double the sales figure. United News also has a small Spanish division. This publishes Sedunda Mano.

Independent Newspapers recorded strong profit growth, a 50 per cent rise to £39 million, in the first half. It was helped by a first contribution from the Wilson & Horton subsidiary in New Zealand. It is on target to reach a pretax profit of more than £100 million in the full year.