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Metro, the free newspaper, is preparing to launch a magazine that

could take it into the paid-for press arena for the first time.

The marketing director, Linda Grant, said that plans are at an early

stage. "It's an obvious thing to go further in the print arena. The

Metro brand is powerful and we know that many readers already read

lifestyle magazines in their own right."

Grant also confirmed that the magazine may have a cover price. "Never

say never. The Metro brand is associated with free newspapers but we

will look at pay-for options ."

The Associated Newspapers-backed Metro is distributed free to 813,753

commuters each working day.

It is not yet known what the title of the magazine will be, but The

Times already uses the name "Metro" for its colour supplement.

Metro has employed Naked Communications to develop its brand extension

and is also looking at launching Metro-branded internet cafes.

Will Collin, a partner at Naked, said: "Metro is the sixth-largest

national newspaper in terms of circulation, and magazines and online are

the obvious areas for extending the morning content. The '20-minute

Metro moment' with commuters gives a line into a very affluent,

desirable group and there is the potential to extract value by offering

more products."

Metro claims that 72 per cent of its readers are ABC1s and 78 per cent

are aged between 15 and 44.