Pay for Newsquest directors rose above £1m for the first time since 2001 last year despite falling profits at the regional press giant.

Directors’ salaries, taxable benefits, performance-related payments and pension scheme contributions totalled £1,060,000 in 2014, according to the publisher’s annual report.

This figure is up from £928,000 in 2013 and, according to Press Gazette analysis, is the highest figure for boardroom pay at the group since 2001.