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Trinity Mirror’s preliminary results statement has revealed a 12 per cent increase in operating profit from its stable of regional newspapers, with recruitment advertising up 19 per cent.

Other highlights from the report include a confirmation of the sale of the Internet service provider ic24 and commitment to a more closely-aligned network of regional ic-branded websites.

The full year group pre-tax profits – after digital spending but before exceptional items – fell to £154m from £168m in 1999, on turnover up 5.3 per cent to £1.05bn.

The group’s regional newspaper operation proved to be a “strong profitable business based on a robust and sustainable business model”.

The preliminary results report said that the business was active with the launch of the two Metro titles, in Birmingham and Newcastle, and the sale of Belfast Telegraph Newspapers, as well as the purchase of Southnews. The Group’s franchise agreement with Associated Newspapers was extended to include the publication of the Metro in Scotland.

The regional newspaper operation, on a like-for-like basis delivered operating profit growth of 12.1 per cent to £105.5 million, 3.7% growth in revenue to £424.7m.

The report said: “Many of the regional newspaper operations achieved double-digit profit growth in 2000 as a result of effective cost management and advertising revenue growth of 5.2 per cent to £308.8m.

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