PUBLISHER Johnston Press said it was exploring options to restructure or refinance its debt after its shares more than doubled in early trading yesterday.

The owner of more than 200 newspapers including The Scotsman, The Yorkshire Post and the i newspaper, confirmed that it was “not in receipt of any plan or proposal from any party for a refinancing or restructuring of its debt”.

A statement issued by Johnston Press said the company “knows of no operational or corporate or other reason for the price movement”. Shares closed up 74% at 6.18p.