Trinity Mirror's regional newspapers have seen advertising revenues drop by 10.4 per cent in the first four months of the year, with recruitment advertising worst hit.

All like-for-like advertising revenues for the division saw a drop apart from property, with recruitment advertising down 22.6 per cent and motors down 12.9 per cent.

Circulation revenues for the group's regional titles increased by 2.4 per cent, with cover price increases offsetting declines in circulation.

As a whole, group advertising revenue for the first four months decreased by 11.8 per cent, excluding acquisitions, compared with the same period last year.

Group circulation revenues for the first four months were in line with 2005, affected by a fall in revenue for its Scottish national titles.

A company statement ahead of its annual general meeting said that the difficult advertising market conditions experienced in 2005 had continued into 2006.

It said: "Whilst comparatives will ease as the year progresses, management continues to run the business on the assumption that the advertising environment will remain very challenging."

Trinity Mirror's regional newspapers include the Evening Chronicle and The Journal in Newcastle, the Post and Mail in Birmingham, the Huddersfield Daily Examiner and The Western Mail and South Wales Echo.

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