UK's News of the World bows outs with almost 4 million sales

LONDON, July 12 (Reuters) - The last edition of Britain's News of the World newspaper sold 3.8 million copies, an increase of 1.1 million from the previous week, News International said on Tuesday.

Retailers were hit by unprecedented demand with many stores selling out across the UK, as further allegations of malpractice at the newspaper continue to come to light.

Advertising space was provided free to good causes, with 74 pence from each pound - the cover price of the newspaper - donated to three charities.

Donations were split between Barnado's, a children's charity, The Force's Children's Trust and the military projects at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham charity.

Last weekend's edition included a 48-page souvenir pullout charting some of the paper's famous scoops over its 168-year history.

News International, the UK arm of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp media empire, closed the paper last week as allegations of hacking of voicemails to secure stories spread from celebrities to the relatives of victims of crime.

The furore has put the brake on News Corp's efforts to buy out the remaining 61 percent of pay TV operator BSkyB . The deal has been referred to the competition authorities for what is likely to be a lenghty investigation

(Created by Stephen Mangan)