JPI Media has revealed plans to expand into seven major UK cities, plus Wales, as it hopes to become a “truly national network of local news brands” under new owner David Montgomery.

The publisher will launch eight new websites under its digital-only “World” brand, under which the National World website launched in March with aims to rival The Independent.

It said the websites would be “video-led” in partnership with Local TV, where Montgomery is also chairman, which will deploy eight TV video journalists to support JPI’s teams in each market.