The Daily Telegraph is to start charging for access to its website, adopting a metered paywall model.

Readers will have access to 20 free articles a month on the paper’s site and will then have to subscribe if they wish to read more.

They will have the option of two digital subscription packages: the Telegraph web pack which offers unlimited access to online content, plus access to smartphone apps for £1.99 a month; or the full digital pack which also includes access to Telegraph titles on tablet devices and loyalty club membership for £9.99 per month.

Readers will be offered a one-month free trial period before committing to subscriptions.

The decision follows the launch of a paywall on the international site in November 2012.

Telegraph editor Tony Gallagher said: "We want to develop a closer rapport with our digital audience in the UK, and we intend to unveil a number of compelling digital products for our loyal subscribers in the months ahead."