CABLE firms NTL and Telewest could be on course to merge before the end of 2005.

Such a move would save the companies £229m every year, according to analysts UBS Warburg.

Speculation within the industry has been rife for years that the debt-ridden pair will form an alliance to build for the future.

NTL has already emerged from harsh financial restructuring and claims to be on a much better footing.

Its operations in the North-East contribute a sizeable part to that good fortune and the continued uptake of its broadband services is proving positive.

Read the full story in The Northern Echo on the business page tomorrow.