Revenues at regional publisher Northcliffe Media were down 6pc year-on-year in the last three months of 2010 according to a trading update today.

Total revenues at the group during the three-month period up to 2 January were £59m, down 6pc on the same period the previous year.

Today’s interim management statement published by parent company DMGT also revealed that headcount across its consumer media division A&N Media, which includes Northcliffe, fell by 332 in the quarter.

This fall was mainly attributable to staffing reduction at Northcliffe which saw headcount fall 8pc in the three-month period.

Circulation revenues at the group fell by 3pc, recruitment revenues by 26pc and revenues from public notices by 13pc, although property revenues were up 1.5pc.

DMGT chief executive Martin Morgan said: “Trading in the first quarter has been in line with our expectations, despite our consumer businesses being hampered by the poor weather in December.

“We remain cautious about the medium term outlook, given the external economic environment. Our focus will remain on investment to drive organic growth, while continuing to seek to improve operational efficiency and to reduce debt.”