The regional press now has more than 400,000 new readers, according to new figures.

The 2006 edition of Target Group Index, an annual market research survey conducted by the British Market Research Bureau, shows that the overall readership of regional and local newspapers is growing.

Regional newspapers are now read by 83.7 per cent of the UK population.

The number of people who read a regional newspaper but not a national has grown by 2.8 per cent in the last year to 27 per cent.

The same survey also showed that both national newspapers and magazines have seen a fall in readership.

Also included are figures that show the number of people who consumed ‘any regional evening newspaper’ has increased to 24 per cent from 21 per cent in 2005. Meanwhile those consuming ‘any regional daily’ newspaper grew by 1.3 per cent to 33.2 per cent of the UK adult population.

Regional press publishers are continuing to expand their reach by using portfolios of products to access a broader range of readers.

In addition to some 1,300 regional and local, daily and weekly titles, the regional press now boasts a range of stand-alone magazines and niche publications, websites, podcasts, radio, and television stations.