MEDIA group Archant, which owns The Evening Star, has announced pre-tax profits for the first have of 2004 were up to £16.6m, compared with £14.1m in 2003.

MEDIA group Archant, which owns The Evening Star, has announced pre-tax profits for the first have of 2004 were up to £16.6m, compared with £14.1m in 2003.

In its interim financial report to shareholders, the privately owned group best known for its regional newspapers and magazines, said that turnover in the same period was also up with strong advertising revenue.