Trinity Mirror expects both advertising and circulation revenues for its regionals division to be up for the first six months of the year, despite the advertising market remaining “challenging”.

Advertising revenue for its regional titles is expected to be up 1.4 per cent compared to the same period last year.

In a trading statement ahead of its close period, the group said its regional division had seen growth in advertising as well as display and other classified categories, but this had been partly cancelled out by a drop in recruitment and motors.

The division, which publishes titles such as the Daily Post and Echo in Liverpool, the Post and Evening Mail in Birmingham and the Evening Chronicle and The Journal in Newcastle, is also expected to see a growth in circulation revenues of 5.2 per cent.

As a whole the group says it expects advertising revenues to be down by 0.4 per cent, due to a decline of 5.3 per cent for its national titles, partially offset by a rise of 14.5 per cent for its sports division.

Group circulation revenues are expected to be up 3.1 per cent year on year.

The group said: “In an uncertain economic climate the Board’s strategy “Stabilise Revitalise Grow” continues to drive improvements in performance.

“Whilst we anticipate the advertising market will remain extremely challenging the Board expects a satisfactory outcome for the year.”