Regional newspaper sales continue to decline according to the latest Audit Bureau of Circulation figures.

The stats for the six-month period from July to December 2007 showed double figure declines for some big regional papers while other steadied the ship with just a very small downturn.

The Swindon Advertiser even posted a rise in sales of 0.4 per cent.

Cardiff's South Wales Echo saw a 10.2 per cent slump.

Other newspapers have enjoyed relatively stable fortunes with The Northern Echo, in Darlington, down just 0.8 per cent and Newport's South Wales Argus down 1.3 per cent.

The Reading Evening Post saw a fall of 22.6 per cent for its Monday to Friday sales but it said this was expected after its move to part-paid, part-free sales.

Its Guardian Media Group sister title the Manchester Evening News has included its online visitors into its ABC figures.

In doing so, it has become the first regional newspaper to publish its website traffic alongside its circulation figures.

The Express and Star, in Wolverhampton, continues to be the UK's biggest selling regional paper with daily figures of 138,780, followed in second place by the Liverpool Echo with 106,401.

Wales' biggest selling daily is the South Wales Evening Post, in Swansea, with a circulation of 51,329.

Aberdeen's morning title the Press and Journal is Scotland's most bought daily with 80,177.