Irish and British regional newspaper publisher Johnston Press Plc said profit for the 26 weeks ending June fell as revenue from print advertising continued to decline, with classified print advertising accounting for majority of the fall.

NEWSPAPER group, the Leinster Leader limited, saw its turnover increase last year from almost €1.2 million to just over €1.3m.

THE Leinster Leader Ltd made losses of €201,000 last year due to the disposal of an asset but directors say they are confident about the company’s future.

BRITAIN’S Office of Fair Trading said it will not refer Johnston Press PLC’s acquisition of Northern Ireland’s Local Press Ltd, publisher of the Derry Journal, to the Competition Commission, providing certain conditions are met.