Regional newspaper and magazine publisher Archant has announced am 49pc increase in operating profits for 2013.

In a preliminary statement to shareholders, the Norfolk-based company said profits were up from £6.3m in 2012 to £9.4m last year.

However overall turnover was down 3.6pc from £131.4m to £126.6m.

The company said cost management, alongside a reduction in newsprint costs, enabled it to achieve total savings of £7.9m.

Digital revenues increased by 19.3pc to £7.2m, with chairman Richard Jewson, left, saying the company had put “significant efforts” into monetising its digital offerings.

He said the overall results had been achieved “despite continuing industry challenges and with little help from the economy.”

Said Richard: “Our traditional newspaper businesses improved profitability year-on-year. However, challenges in our magazine businesses caused a decline in magazine profitability.

“We will continue to shape the business to the changing requirements of our customers, who, of course, are also feeling their way into this changing world.

“Whilst we expect to see an improvement in our revenues this year, economic growth will inevitably give rise to cost pressures.”