Trading Statement

Trinity Mirror plc
26 June 2003


                                                        Thursday, 26th June 2003


                               TRINITY MIRROR PLC
                            PRE CLOSE TRADING UPDATE
                      26 week period ending 29th June 2003


Trinity Mirror plc is today issuing a trading update ahead of the company's
interim results announcement on 31st July.

Advertising revenues

Advertising conditions have remained volatile during the last six months. Group
advertising revenues for the 26 week period are expected to be flat year on
year, with a 0.6% increase in the first quarter offset by a 0.4% decline in the
second quarter. The weaker performance in the second quarter reflects the impact
of the war in Iraq and incremental World Cup revenues in June 2002.

The Regionals division (incorporating Digital Media and Metros) is expected to
achieve advertising revenue growth of 0.6% year on year for the 26 week period.
Excluding Digital Media and Metros, advertising revenues for the Regional
newspaper titles are expected to fall by 0.3%. This reflects a 0.8% decline in
the first quarter partially offset by an expected 0.3% increase in the second
quarter.

The Regional newspaper titles (excluding Metros and our titles in London and the
South East) are expected to achieve advertising revenue growth of 1.2% year on
year. London and the South East advertising revenues are expected to fall by
4.4% year on year. Recruitment revenues in the Regional newspaper titles are
expected to fall by 1.0% year on year, a 12.9% fall in London and the South East
substantially offset by an increase of 3.0% in the rest of the Regional
newspaper titles.

Advertising revenues for the 26 week period for the Nationals division are
expected to fall by 0.8% year on year, with an expected 0.1% increase in the UK
National titles offset by an expected 3.4% decline for the Scottish National
titles. A strong first quarter saw advertising revenue grow by 1.4%. The second
quarter was weaker with advertising revenue expected to fall by 3.1%.

Circulation

Group circulation revenues for the 26 week period are expected to fall by 2.8%
year on year with a 7.5% decline in Q1 offset by an expected 2.1% increase in
Q2.

Circulation revenues for the Regional newspaper titles are expected to fall by
1.0% for the period, with cover price increases partially offsetting revenue
declines from volume decreases.

Circulation revenues for the Nationals division are expected to fall by 4.4%,
representing falls of 5.0% and 2.1% for the UK and Scottish National titles
respectively. Restoring the normal cover price of the Daily Mirror has impacted
circulation, which fell year on year by 5.2% (excluding sampling) for the first
5 months. However, circulation of the Daily Mirror rose 1.9% month on month in
May following a 3.4% month on month fall in April.

Outlook

As noted at the AGM the directors believe the uncertain external trading
environment will continue for the remainder of the year. Nevertheless, subject
to there being no further adverse changes to the trading environment the Board
anticipates a satisfactory outcome for the year.

• all results are shown on a like for like basis, excluding the results 
of Post Publications Limited and Ethnic Media Group Limited which were disposed
of in June 2002, Channel One which ceased trading in November 2002 and Wheatley
Dyson & Son Limited which was disposed of in February 2003.


Enquiries:

Trinity Mirror plc                                    020 7293 3000
Sly Bailey, Chief Executive
Vijay Vaghela, Group Finance Director
Nick Fullagar, Director of Corporate Communications


Finsbury                                              020 7251 3801
Rupert Younger
Don Hunter




                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange