The ABCs

Veronica Wadley's paper recorded a July ABC of 340,852, up 4 per cent on July 2004, the first year-on-year increase for the title since July 2003. It was the Standard's highest sale since May 2004. The newspaper has responded to the public outrage at the attacks with a "London Stands United" campaign and has even patched up its differences with Mayor of London Ken Livingstone. The Times, aided by a DVD giveaway of Spellbound and heavy TV promotion, was another July success. The paper has its highest market share (31.4%) since October 1998.

The Independent recorded its first year-on-year decline since the launch of its compact edition, down 2.5 per cent on July 2004, a period when the paper was more heavily promoted. Over the past six months, however, The Independent has a higher average sale than in the same period last year.

The Guardian hit a new low of 358,345, down 3.4 per cent on last year. The figure was made worse by the stripping out of 6,000 bulk sales, to help ensure the impending Berliner format will deliver an uplift to sales.