MEDIA group Trinity Mirror delivered profits ahead of expectations, said chief executive Sly Bailey yesterday.

Figures for the year to January 3 showed falls in revenues and profits but the group, which owns the Huddersfield Examiner, said it saw an improvement in UK advertising trends as the year progressed, which is expected to continue into 2010.

Revenues fell from £871.7m to £763.3m, adjusted operating profits were £105.4m compared with £145.2m and adjusted pre-tax profits were £72.7m against £124.2m.

But the group achieved cost savings of £68m, £5m ahead of target with another £20m of savings expected this year.