Daily Mail Group will follow in the footsteps of fellow British newspaper The Guardian by launching an Australian website in early 2014.

Publisher Martin Clarke on Wednesday announced the company would launch dailymail.com.au in the new year in a partnership with Nine Entertainment Co’s digital arm Mi9.

“We’ve had Australian readers for many years now. Being able to provide them with the latest local news alongside the stories that matter from the Daily Mail’s reporters from around the globe, is extremely important to us,” he said.

“I’m excited that we can now offer Australians a local version with a strong focus on editorial integrity and campaigning journalism.”

The Daily Mail’s website MailOnline is visited by more than 57.3 million readers a month, according to digital analytics firm comScore, which makes it the most visited English language news website in the world.

Its online readership spiked to 134 million users in July due primarily to coverage of the royal birth.

Mi9 chief executive Mark Britt said existing ninemsn staff would work alongside Daily Mail Australia employees.

“We’re aiming to create the largest digital news team in the country,” he said.

The Daily Mail’s announcement follows rival the Guardian’s move into the Australian market, with the launch of its local website in May.