A High Court judge has varied an injunction to allow the new giveaway newspaper Herald AM use the words "metro edition" on its masthead.

Mr Justice Frank Clarke yesterday varied the terms of an injunction which he had granted on October 7th to the publishers of the new Metro freesheet . On that date, he prevented Independent News and Media from using the word "metro" on its masthead.

Yesterday both parties agreed by consent to allow Herald AM to use the words "metro edition" on its masthead beside the date and in a much smaller size and style.

Independent News and Media also gave an undertaking not to use the words "metro" or "metro edition" in the promotion or advertising of the giveaway newspaper. Mr Justice Clarke fixed December 6th as the date for the full hearing of the proceedings brought by the publishers of Metro alleging infringement of its trademark by Independent News and Media.

The Irish edition of Metro will be owned by The Irish Times Ltd, Associated Newspapers of the UK and Swedish company Metro International, which owns the franchise for the publication.