The Isle of Wight County Press is celebrating being announced as the UK's best-selling weekly newspaper, at a time when our website continues to see enormous growth.

For around 140 years, the County Press has been the trusted source of news and sports coverage for Islanders and the latest audited ABC newspaper sales data, out this week, reveals it now has a weekly average fully-paid for circulation of 10,000 copies.

This comes as separate Google Analytics data shows countypress.co.uk recorded around 1.32m visitors last month (January) - more than any other Isle of Wight news site - as more Islanders turn online to the County Press for their news.

Co-editors Lucy Morgan and Lori Little said: “We are beyond proud the Isle of Wight County Press is the best-selling fully paid-for weekly newspaper in the country.

“This comes at a time when more visitors are coming to our hugely successful website than any other Island news outlet.

"Not only does our website have up-to-the-minute live updates on breaking news, it also boasts a full e-version of the printed newspaper.

“Readers are also choosing to visit us via our brand new WhatsApp Channel, as well as via Facebook, Instagram and X, for the Island's best local news, first."

Isle of Wight County Press:

“The way County Press readers consume news is developing and we have a growing online audience, with a phenomenal 30 per cent increase in year-on-year visits to countypress.co.uk.

"While we have fewer newspaper readers than we used to, due to the rise of the internet as per the rest of the industry, we are delighted our growth online means we now have far more readers than we ever did in print," they added.

"We would also like to thank each and every one of our readers, and also the local businesses who advertise with us, for their continued support."

All figures published for the Isle of Wight County Press’s print copy and website are audited and proven.

The newly-published figures come after the County Press was shortlisted for Local Weekly Newspaper of the Year at the prestigious 2024 Newspaper Awards.

Lucy and Lori added: “Our nomination highlights our new-look engaging front page, exclusive reports and trusted journalism.

"It reflects the hard work, determination and passion for local news, demonstrated daily by our dedicated Newport-based team of journalists who are committed to working for Islanders."

"We're looking forward to exciting developments later this year which will mean the County Press remains at the forefront of local news.

"You can watch how your favourite news brand is produced in print and online, when Josh Widdicombe and Nish Kumar's Hold the Front Page hits the small screen later this year, after we were selected to feature on one of Sky Max's most-watched shows, thanks to our position as the Island's best provider of local news."

"In the meantime we look forward to leading the County Press to greater success in the years to come. Here's to another 140 years!"