Although some titles enjoyed year-on-year circulation hikes of more than 80 per cent in the second half of 2009, the women's weekly sector could only manage a 2.9 per cent lift overall, according to Audit Bureau of Circulations figures released today.

Northern and Shell's Star magazine soared to an average circulation of 492,067 copies per issue in the six months to the end of last year – an 83.4 per cent rise on the same period last year – while its sister title New reached 600,000, a 35.6 per cent year on year lift – overtaking its more established stablemate OK, along with Heat and Closer magazines to take the number two position.

Northern and Shell said in a statement that New's rise was down to a "combination of breaking news, exclusive interviews, celebrity columnists and true life stories", though it has also likely benefitted from cross-promotion via its sister titles two magazines and from being multipacked with other titles in the stable, like OK!.