The top-selling regional morning paper in the UK is to go fully compact from next month.

Aberdeen’s Press and Journal had already moved to the new format for its Monday and Saturday editions.

Now it is to adopt the smaller format for the rest of the week in response to what it says is demand from readers.

Editor Damian Bates said: “Our Saturday and Monday compact editions have been incredibly well received by readers. They have been asking when the P&J will go compact across the rest of the week.”

He added: “We have listened and are keen to give them what they want. It’s been a massive team effort involving editorial, marketing, advertising, circulation, distribution, production and promotions to get this launch ready – and there’s still quite a bit of work to be done.

“There’s going to be a lot of noise about us going compact. Watch this space. The Press and Journal is a brilliant newspaper with a wonderful heritage and we’re very excited about the future.”

The DC Thomson owned title currently has an average daily circulation of 71,044.