RADCLIFFE-based James Halstead PLC's financial buoyancy has been enhanced with its best-ever interim results.

Figures for the half-year ending December 31 show the group, manufacturers and international distributors of flooring, achieved a 6.5 per cent increase in pre-tax profits to £6.954 million.

Net dividend per ordinary share has gone up to 7.0p, which is a rise of 16.7 per cent. And earnings per ordinary share have also increased by 4.3 per cent up to 19.4p.

Halstead's PLC, based in Hollinhurst Road, has also announced turnover at £56.8 million, which is 6.6 per cent ahead of the corresponding period for the previous year.

Chairman Mr Geoffrey Halstead said: "Once again we have made good progress and with our strong financial resources we look forward to the full year with confidence. These figures are the best interim results we have reported.

"It has been a good half year and our flooring companies have traded well despite the ongoing challenge caused by raw material price increases. We look forward to consolidating the progress made to the full year result."

Last month the group's financial figures for the previous year showed that for the first time in its history Halstead's had exceeded a turnover of more than £100 million.