Trinity Mirror’s advertising revenues have fallen by 7.9 per cent in the past five months, compared with the same period last year.

In a pre-close trading update the group said advertising for its regionals division had fallen by 4.9 per cent year-on-year.

The group hopes to deliver savings of up to £15m next year to help counter the continued downward trend in the advertising market and other expected cost pressures such as higher newsprint prices.

Recruitment advertising has been particularly weak, due to a slowing economy and increasing unemployment, with revenues falling by 20.5 per cent.

But property advertising has seen a continued growth, up by 6.4 per cent year-on-year, and the period also benefited from strong advertising revenues resulting from the changes in the alcohol licensing laws.

Circulation revenue from its regional newspapers has grown by 3.1 per cent in the past five months, thanks to increased cover prices.

Overall the group said that although it had experienced a difficult advertising trading environment in the second half of the year, management initiatives to mitigate the impact on profits mean the board is confident results for the year will be in line with expectations.