NEWSQUEST plc today announced an increase in operating profit of 18pc for the 40 weeks ending October 4, 1998.

Newsquest, owners of the Bolton Evening News and Bury Times, who are England's largest regional and local newspaper publisher, were announcing their results for US bondholders and within the figures they reported an underlying growth in turnover of 7.8pc for the year to date.

They reported that while they had experienced some slowdown in revenue growth in certain categories, particularly recruitment, they had benefited from growth in other advertising categories and direct marketing.

They also announced they had entered into two contractual arrangements with the Daily Mail and Trust plc from which they will benefit in 1999. Firstly they have entered into a joint purchasing agreement on newsprint which will enhance both groups' purchasing power, and secondly Newsquest has gained a contract to print editions of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday on its newly refurbished press at Bradford.

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