±±¾©Èü³µpk10

Archant's pre-tax profits were 8.9% down on last year, with total turnover dropping to £93.6m, from £98.5m in 2007.

Archant's report comes after news last week that ad revenues at Trinity Mirror's regionals arm fell by 6% in the first half of 2008.

Richard Jewson, chairman of Archant, said the company would be seeking to increase efficiencies and develop online business to combat the current economic climate. He said he believed the company was, "well positioned to weather the economic storm."

Traffic on Archant's classified websites increased in the first half of 2008, compared with the same period last year. Unique visitors were up by 117% on homes24 and the number of properties listed on the site rose to more than 100,000.

Archant's magazine turnover increased by 4.1% to £27m.