The Telegraph titles will start charging readers for online access immediately, the group has announced.

The daily and Sunday versions are following in the footsteps of The Times and Sunday Times by introducing a paywall for its newspapers’ website.

It is being introduced to the UK site after a similar “metered” system was trialled on the international version of the website. Readers will have a choice of two different packages after using up their quota of 20 free stories per month. They will be offered a free month’s trial before being asked to commit to a subscription.

Telegraph Media Group said yesterday the international version has seen nine out of 10 people going on to subscribe after taking up the free trial.

The Telegraph Web Pack package will give unlimited access to the website and to smartphone apps for £1.99 per month, or £20 per year. The full Digital Pack costing £9.99 a month – £99 for the year – will give access to the daily and Sunday papers on tablet devices, and a loyalty club. Readers who already subscribe to the print title will be given access to tablet editions, the website and apps for no extra cost. The Telegraph titles will become the first UK national papers to adopt the meter system. The Times and Sunday Times allow no access without charges.

The editor of the Daily Telegraph Tony Gallagher said: “The Telegraph publishes the finest writers in Britain. We want to develop a closer rapport with our digital audience in the UK, and we intend to unveil compelling digital products for our loyal subscribers in the months ahead.”

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