Sales of a daily newspaper are now almost 50pc higher than its nearest national rival, according to an internal audit.

Glasgow-based daily The Herald has announced it averaged 28,010 copies each day during March.

According to The Herald, this puts it sales 46pc higher than nearest “quality rival” The Times in Scotland, which was selling a daily average of 18,977 copies as of the March ABC National Newspapers Report.

Donald Martin, editor in chief of Newsquest Scotland, welcomed the results of The Herald’s internal audit.

He said: “We’re proud but not complacent with The Herald’s strong market share of the quality newspaper market across Scotland.

“With our team of superb journalists and writers, no Scottish newspaper is better equipped to serve an audience demanding quality insight, analysis and opinion. Herald readers trust us to provide authoritative and balanced coverage, particularly in these times of political turmoil.

“This is further reflected in visitors to our web portal which, despite much of it sitting behind a premium content subscription paywall, was accessed by a staggering 1.99 million** unique visitors in March.

“The Herald remains a trusted iconic Scottish brand and in print, digitally and through Apps our content has never collectively been read by as many readers.”