HCN Return To Profit

Home Counties Newspapers returned to profit in the first half of the year, recovering from the effects of bad debt write-offs and depressed ad revenues.

Profits for the six months to June 30 were £331,000, against a loss of £203,000 last year. Turnover was up 6.5% at £12.1m.

The company said that although the national advertising had improved, local advertising had not recovered.