Scottish Radio Holdings’ press division has seen profits rise by an estimated nine per cent in the last year.

According to the latest trading update for the group, which publishes 45 local weekly newspapers in Scotland and Ireland, Score Press also increased advertising and circulation revenues by nine per cent and six per cent respectively.

The group also has a wide interest in commercial radio, with 22 wholly-owned and two partly-owned radio services, and as a whole group revenues rose by an estimated 15 per cent ahead of last year, itself a year in which revenues increased by 18 per cent.

Announcing its latest figures, the group said it had enjoyed a good first six months in both radio and press and this had continued into the second half of the financial year, with the immediate outlook for continuing progress encouraging.