UPDATE 1-Lagardere H1 sales fall 3.8 pct

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PARIS, July 24 (Reuters) - French media group Lagardere (LAGA.PA) on Thursday reported slightly better-than-expected first-half revenue of 3.8 billion euros, down 3.8 percent, and said revenue rose 3.6 percent on a like-for-like basis basis.

The owner of Elle magazine, Europe 1 radio and a stake in pay-tv group Canal Plus said it expected sales growth to be slower in the second half than in the first.

It confirmed a forecast of 3-7 percent growth in recurring operating profit on the basis of a euro worth $1.50.

Analysts polled by Reuters had expected first-half revenue of 3.784 billion euros.

Lagardere said publishing revenues rose 1.3 percent to 908 million euros while its Lagardere Active division, which includes press, magazines, tv and radio, posted a 7 percent drop in revenue to 1.02 billion euros.

Lagardere Services, which operates press distribution, saw revenue fall 4.2 percent to 1.68 billion euros.

(Editing by Erica Billingham)