The Press and Journal’s readership has soared by 12% in the last year, new figures show.
The newspaper’s performance in the latest National Readership Survey (NRS) has revealed that it continues to buck the national trend.
It was the only Scotland-based morning daily in the study to record a rise in estimated readership between April 2015 and March this year, increasing by 19,000 from 155,000 to 174,000.
The figure compared to a drop of 16% in the readership of the Scotsman, which is now at 77,000, and The Herald, which was down 2% to 103,000.
Press and Journal editor-in-chief Damian Bates said: “This is positive news in a tough media market where customer loyalty is vital.
“The P&J is proving once again that its content is relevant to its audience , which is our local communities and businesses.
“Our six editions every day, tailored to six specific areas, plus business, sport, national and international news, are a great combination.
“We believe we are giving readers what they want and something that is relevant to their daily lives.
“We are delighted more and more people are turning to the P&J.”
The NRS estimates the number of people who read newspapers, based on interviews with a representative sample of 29,000 adults in Britain every year.
In February, the Press and Journal officially became the UK’s best-selling regional newspaper.
The paper topped a sales table of more than 70 regional titles across the country – and was shown to outsell the Scotsman and Herald combined.
Almost 56,500 paid-for Press and Journals fly off news stands every day.