Reach plc has credited a record digital revenue performance after revealing its profit expectations for 2020.

The publisher says it expects underlying operating profit for the year to be “ahead of market expectations”, in the range of £130 to £135 million.

In a trading update issued this morning, Reach revealed digital revenue had increased by 24.9pc in the fourth quarter of the year, up from 13.4pc in quarter three.

Print circulation sales were down 11.7pc, but this was less than the 12.6pc decline experienced in the third quarter.

There was an overall total revenue decline of 10.2pc, compared with a 14.8pc decline during the previous period.

In the update, the company also confirmed its new websites covering Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire will be launched this month.

Chief executive Jim Mullen, pictured, said: “It is a testament to our people that Reach has not only dealt with the unique challenges 2020 has presented, but we have accelerated our strategy and we are ahead of where we expected to be.

“The new Covid-19 restrictions bring macro-economic uncertainty, but the changes made in the business during 2020 to develop a new, more efficient operating model put us in a strong competitive position.”