THE owner of the Daily Mail said it expected its newspapers to account for just half its profits this year, as revenues at its online operations soared.

The Daily Mail & General Trust said advertising revenues were down two per cent at Associated Newspapers - which houses the Daily Mail and London Evening Standard - and down eight per cent at its regional newspaper arm Northcliffe.

But a strong performance by its digital operations, which include websites such as Jobsite, Find a Property and Prime Location, meant it expected to achieve "modest progress" this year.

DMGT

"The strength of our newer businesses means that the group is on course this year to generate approximately half of its profits from its non-newspaper operations," said DMGT.

DMGT has been involved in building up a portfolio of online businesses to offset the fall in advertising at its newspapers with increased spending on the internet.

Last month it paid é22m for Simply Switch website owner Simply Energy, the price comparison and switching service.