A businessman who paid £1 for a series of West Country newspapers has been ordered to pay £16,500 to a former staff member after he was found personally liable for her unfair dismissal.

Duncan Williams bought View From Newspapers, which included seven titles, from former owner Peter Masters last year just two weeks after he had closed them due to “falling revenues” and put staff on notice.

In September Williams (pictured) was ruled personally responsible for up to £250,000 owed to some 28 former employees of the group, which was based in Lyme Regis, Dorset.