NATIONAL newspapers earned a record £108.5 million from advertising last year, an 18 per cent increase on 1995. Revenue generated by agencies, as distinct from direct advertising or classified, grew by 21 per cent to over £60 million.

The chairman of the National Newspapers of Ireland (NNI) Mr Louis O'Neill, said: "While the country's economic buoyancy is an obvious factor, the figures clearly illustrate the growing confidence in the power of press advertising among advertisers and their agencies, who are increasingly considering newspapers an essential element in most advertising campaigns."

The McConnells agency had the highest spend, with £4.7 million, an increase of £1.13 million. All Ireland Media was second with an expenditure of £4.1 million. DDFH&B, with a spend in national newspapers of just over £1 million, had the highest percentage increase, of 129 per cent.

There are 11 titles in the NNI.