The tabloid version of the News International paper, printed at NI's plants at Wapping in London and Knowsley on Merseyside, first hit newsstands last November.

The paper is not being printed at the publisher's Glasgow print works.

A spokesman for The Times said that the paper had "absolutely no plans" to follow the Independent's example and drop its broadsheet edition.

"We are 100% committed to the dual format. At Wapping we have tabloid presses and broadsheet presses and we intend to continue to offer both formats to our readers," said the spokesman.

The Independent last month dropped its broadsheet edition entirely, after launching a compact edition last September.

The roll-out of the tabloid edition into Scotland, Wales and the West Country follows news that editor Robert Thomson had moved deadlines to allow both editions to be printed and distributed across the country. See earlier story.  

Story by Josh Brooks