Joint Telegraph offer ups sales

The Sunday Telegraph is understood to have sold an extra 70,000 copies following the launch of a voucher scheme with the Saturday Daily Telegraph on March 19.

The Sunday Times, which copied the 80p for two deal with its Saturday sister title, is believed to have increased sales by 15,000.

If the additional copies were added to the February ABC averages The Sunday Telegraph would have sold more than 730,000 copies. The Sunday Times’ increase would have taken it to 1,277,000.

The Independent joined the fray with an identical 80p offer last weekend. A Guardian and Observer spokesman declined to comment on whether The Observer intends to follow suit.

Telegraph marketing director David Pugh refused to comment on the newspapers’ sales figures, but described the offer as a success. He says the move is based on the fact that the Saturday newspaper sells more than the Sunday, whereas it is the other way around with The Times and The Sunday Times.

The Sunday Telegraph’s first move to a ú1 deal for both days’ papers last May helped its February circulation rise by 9.17 per cent year-on-year. The Sunday Times’ circulation is up 3.3 per cent year-on-year.

* Following speculation that Independent editor Ian Hargreaves is to resign this week, columnist Mark Lawson is understood to have joined The Guardian.