The South Wales Argus hit its highest daily sales figure for five years in early November.

The average daily base sale of 30,904 in the week ending November 2 also marked another milestone - the first time the sale had crossed the 30,000 mark since the dramatic closure of two Gwent steelworks nearly two years ago.

It represented a year on year increase of 8.01 per cent.

The cumulative base sales increase for the year so far is slightly more than two per cent - the third year running of base sale increase.

Editor Gerry Keighley said: "The phenomenal performance was largely attributable to the hunt for a missing girl."

He said: "The ongoing sales success is down to a superb staff - both editorial and newspaper sales. Don't let anyone tell me that evening papers are on the decline!"

Newspaper Sales Manager Andrew Kinsey said: "These figures are a tribute not only to newspaper sales and editorial but to all the Argus staff, including press crew and van drivers.

"Part of our success is due to targeted canvassing with very high retention figures. We are also pretty cunning when it comes to boxing out for the right stories."

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