Newsagents in Winchester say spiralling delivery costs could push them out of business.

Norman Roberts, of Hyde PO, in Hyde Street, says the company that delivers national and local newspapers to his shop is pushing up costs and he is unable to meet them.

"It's hitting us because what we'll have to do eventually is pass on the cost to customers who receive papers to their door," he said.

"But if you start overpricing things, people say it's too costly and won't come back. We're up against big problems and the profit on papers is so small."

Mr Roberts claimed that financial difficulties had already forced two city centre newsagents out of business- - one near the bus station in The Broadway, and one in Kings Walk.

Around 50 newsagents have met with MP, Mark Oaten, to discuss the problem.

Colin Fletcher, president of the Southern National Federation of Regional Newspapers, explained the problem.

"We have no choice from whom we buy newspapers; the distributor, Solent SD, has a monopoly," he said.

"This year, the price of delivery went up by £9 or £10 a week and you cannot claim back that money any way. You can't make any more money on the papers because they have a fixed price."

He called for Solent SD, based in Nursling, near Southampton, to lower its prices, or for publishers to add a penny on to the price of the newspaper, so the cost of delivery would be built into the product.

"This really is making newsagents look at whether they can carry on doing news. The scale is going up all the time and it's becoming harder for small newsagents to reclaim the costs," he added.

Mr Oaten, who is backing the campaign said: "It's a complex issue, but they do fear for their future. It would be a great pity if local and rural newsagents disappeared."

Solent SD declined to comment, as did the company's bosses at Dawson News, in Croydon.