A charity free newspaper focusing on health and disability has bucked the trend by recording a 20pc increase in readers in the last year – putting it among the top three titles in its region.

All Together NOW! was set up five years ago for readers in the North West by former Liverpool Echo journalist Tom Dowling and new research has found it has amassed 240,000 readers.

The Liverpool-based Murray Consultancy, which specialises in newspaper research, found the 60,000 copies of the title distributed were read by an average of four people each, giving it a readership topped only by the Manchester Evening News at 356,000 and the Liverpool Echo at 250,000.

Tom has been using a wheelchair since the age of 20 when he was shot and paralysed by robbers in Iran and he has been shortlisted for a Barclays Trading Places award, while he won an O2 Lifetime Achievement Award earlier this month.

The latest edition of All Together NOW!

He said: “We knew we had created something very special and these results confirm that.

“Every day we get calls, letters and emails from readers saying just how much they like and really value the paper – that’s something journalists normally don’t hear.

“Unlike lots of free papers that are posted into homes, our readers are going out of their way to pick up their copies.

“If we can find the resources to print and circulate more papers we think All Together NOW! could well become the best read title in the region.”

The survey found the paper had increased its readership by 20pc in the last year due to increased availability in outlets such as garden centres, visitor attractions and hospitals, while 54pc of those reading it were not disabled.

David Murray, who runs Murray Consultancy, said: “We have uncovered a real gem. Unlike lots of newspapers who are losing readers hand over fist, All Together NOW! is bucking the trend – and in grand style.

“In the ten years we have been conducting surveys nothing has come anywhere near to the standards being set by this new newspaper. The results are hugely impressive by anyone’s standard.”