According to News International, the iPad edition offers exclusive added layers of information, "not possible in a printed format".

All 12 sections of the £2.20 broadsheet newspaper, including three magazines and an interactive TV guide, are available.

A free version has been made available to sample the first edition, while further editions are available by subscribing to the Times newspapers or its £2-a-week digital package. Individual editions can also be bought for £1.79.

John Witherow, editor of The Sunday Times said: "This is the first time a multi-section newspaper has put everything on to an app and lots of video and graphics bring The Sunday Times to life. We are proud to deliver a really beautiful reading.

The launch builds on the Times iPad edition, which was launched in May this year.