KM Group's KentOnline network saw its audience increase by almost 94% in 12 months, official figures out today have revealed.

The family-owned publisher's ABC audit for July to December 2013 confirms 914,280 unique browsers each month - a 43% increase on the last six-month period.

The huge growth comes after a similar success story for KentOnline in the previous reporting period, when unique browsers grew by 41% - making it the country's fastest-growing regional news network at the time.

At the same time, KM Group has seen its total paid-for newspaper circulation drop by just 4% period-on-period, whilst the number of free titles it distributes grew by the same percentage.

KM Group editorial director Ian Carter said: "We believe these figures show that you can rapidly develop your digital portfolio whilst maintaining high-quality print titles.

"Our newspapers are a hugely important part of our portfolio, and we are unique in having launched two successful paid-for titles in the past two years, but these figures show we are rapidly changing our business to meet the needs of our audience.

"Our online and print audience, combined with our network of kmfm radio stations, give us unrivalled penetration across Kent."