'No decision' on Dandy's future

The publisher of Britain's longest running comic has said no decision has been taken on whether it will cease publication.

There has been speculation that The Dandy, home to characters such as Desperate Dan, was under threat of closure because of circulation decline.

DC Thomson said it was carrying out a review of its magazine business.

The publisher also said the digital revolution offered it a chance to "innovate and develop".

The Dandy, which was launched in 1937, sold about two million copies a week at the height of its popularity.

But the comic's weekly circulation dipped under 8,000 last year compared with sister title the Beano's 38,000.

A spokesman for DC Thomson said: "We are carrying out a review of our magazines business to meet the challenges of the rapidly changing publishing industry.

"There are many challenges within the industry at present, but we're excited that the digital revolution has also given us an opportunity to innovate and develop.

"We're confident that future generations will continue to enjoy our much-loved products and characters."

The comic has been relaunched several times over the years in an attempt to reverse its falling sales, but its circulation has continued to drop.