Johnston Press chief executive Ashley Highfield has been told by the National Union of Journalists he should “forgo” his £645,000 bonus.

The regional publisher's annual report, released yesterday, revealed that Highfield received a total remuneration of £1.65m in 2014. His total pay was £592,000 in 2013 and £702,000 in 2012.

And Johnston Press announced that the executive is to be given a 7.5 per cent pay rise, taking his salary from £404,000 to £430,000.