Pre-close Period Trading Update

Trinity Mirror PLC
13 January 2000


                                                            
                              TRINITY MIRROR PLC
                       PRE CLOSE PERIOD TRADING UPDATE

To  improve  the  flow of information to all investors, the Board  of  Trinity
Mirror plc has decided to issue trading updates prior to the two close periods
each  year.   The first of these statements in respect of the second  half  of
the  financial year ended 2 January 2000, is issued today ahead of the Group's
preliminary results announcement on 15 March 2000.

Overall  Trinity  Mirror's  operations produced a strong performance  in  the
second  half  of  1999,   in  line with market expectations  at  the  time  of
announcing  its merger, which completed on 6 September 1999. Good   progress
has  been  made  in the integration of the businesses.  The benefits  of  the
integration,  the  favourable economic conditions and previous  investment  in
titles provide a strong basis for growth.

Operating review

National and sports newspapers

Advertising revenues for the national newspapers have been strong  during  the
period producing second half year on year growth of 9 per cent.

The  Mirror's circulation performance during the last six months  has  led  to
further  growth  in  its market share. The Mirror outperformed  its  direct
competitors during this period.  Increased revenue from the 2 pence price rise
introduced in September (Monday to Friday editions) and 1 pence price increase
on  the  Saturday  edition (from late November) has been invested  in  further
enhancing the newspaper, including the launch of 'M' magazine.

The Sunday Mirror has increased its market share during the last six months of
1999.  The estimated decline in circulation of less than 0.5 per cent compares
very favourably with 11 per cent in the same period of 1998. This performance
reflects management actions in refocusing the paper's editorial stance  closer
to that of its sister daily title.

The Sunday People's circulation has declined by 8 per cent during the last six
months compared to the same period in 1998.

The  Racing  Post has improved circulation during 1999 with strong  growth  in
advertising revenues from all sectors.

Scottish national and regional newspapers

The Scottish national newspapers have also achieved good growth in advertising
revenues, both national and local. Circulation revenues have remained  stable
despite the increased promotional activity of the English tabloids.

Local factors led to variable growth rates in advertising revenues across  the
regional  newspapers  with particularly  encouraging  performances   in       
the Scottish,  Southern,  Northern  Ireland and Welsh  regions.    Industrial 
and employment issues in the Midlands and a lack of economic buoyancy in the
NorthWest  have  affected  the  performances of these two regions.   Both 
regional display and classified advertising continued to show growth in the
second half of  1999  with an overall growth for the six months, year on year,
of  4  per cent.

The  Group  continues  to  be  in discussions with its advertising  customers
regarding irregularities in the reporting of circulation numbers to the  Audit
Bureau  of Circulation  on certain of its Birmingham titles.  Trinity
Mirror remains confident that the outcome of these discussions and the impact
on  the Group will be as stated in its November announcement.

Magazines and exhibitions

The earnings of the division have increased during 1999, primarily as a result
of the acquisitions in 1998 and during 1999. 

New and interactive media

During the year the Group has continued to strengthen  its existing new  media
properties  and  core  brands,  investing  in local  online  franchises  and
developing national niche businesses using content from our own sites and that
of  our partners.  Including  IC24.net, the  Group's  free  internet service
provider  launched  in April, monthly page impressions  on Group  sites  have
increased to over 32 million. 

Building  on  the  Group's existing investment in its online businesses,  the
development of Trinity Mirror's new media strategy is well advanced. Trinity
Mirror  intends to outline its new media strategy by the time of the  Group's
preliminary announcement in March.

Integration

The  integration of the two businesses is on track to deliver annual  pre-tax
cost  savings of at least £15 million by the end of 2002, as indicated at  the
time of announcement of the merger.

Belfast Telegraph and Newscom

The  Group is proceeding with the divestment of those Northern Ireland  titles
(including the Belfast Telegraph) which were required to be disposed of  as  a
condition of consent for the merger.  Prospective purchasers will be contacted
imminently.

Trinity  Mirror's  potential interest in acquiring Newscom  was announced  in
December  and  its application for consent was subsequently  referred  by  the
Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to the Competition Commission. The
regulatory process should be completed by the end of April.



Enquiries:     
Trinity Mirror
Philip Graf, Chief Executive                                     0171 293 2803
John Allwood, Deputy Chief Executive                             0171 293 3161
Margaret Ewing, Group Finance Director                           0171 293 3228

Finsbury
Rupert Younger (press and analysts)                              0171 251 3801
Justine Samuel (investors)                                       0171 251 3801