STV has seen its half-year profit dragged lower as a result of the start-up costs relating to its city television offerings.

Revenue in the first six months of the year dipped two per cent from £54.7 million to £53.6m as a result of a fall in revenue at its production unit from £3.9m to £1.7m.

But the £800,000 loss from its city television stations in Edinburgh and Glasgow saw underlying pre-tax profit dip seven per cent from £8.4m to £7.8m.

However STV also increased its interim dividend and cut its net debt.