Future prospects for the regional press in terms of circulation and readership remain good, according to a new report published by research group Mintel.

It says predictions for advertising revenues, in print and online, are also good and there are grounds for confidence in a healthy future for the sector.

Report author Claire Birks said: "Print newspapers offer a unique mix of qualities compared with all the competitive media, while the regional press also offers an unmatched local focus.

"This coupled with the innovation and development which has taken place in the sector will ensure their continued success in the market."

The report highlights the industry's continued investment in new colour presses and relaunches for its core products while extending its presence in the community with a broadening portfolio of websites, magazines and broadcast platforms.

It says some publishers have already taken steps to target younger consumers, and that this must remain a priority for future sales prospects, adding: "In the meantime the growing number of UK households is at least good news for the potential circulation of all titles."

Turning to advertising, the report says: "Advertising has a dual importance to the regional press, both in its importance to readers (especially classified) and in its major contribution to revenue.

"Despite competition from other media channels there seems to be every reason for confidence in future advertising revenues, both display and classified, with already strong coverage now reinforced by a range of complementary local media including online."

In its conclusions, the report says the regional newspaper industry's strengths remain despite the competition and publishers should embrace technology to counter current challenges and bring together the strengths of a print and an online edition of a newspaper into one entity benefiting both reader and advertiser.

It adds: "Newspapers offer many strengths in their portability, cheapness and accessibility as well as providing a good mix of news and views, information and entertainment, and they are not about to disappear even in the face of the competitive pressures which can only grow.

"Regional newspapers have an additional strength and point of difference in that they offer a level of detail on local news and information that cannot be equalled by any other media."