BOSSES at Blackburn-based Accrol have confirmed they may be turning a corner after a turbulent 12 months.

Toilet roll sales for the Roman Road outfit have increased by 12 per cent, from £76million to £85million, latest mid-year trading figures have shown.

And earnings-before-tax for the firm, which also has presence in Leyland, have been revealed as around£1million, which is a £7million improvement on 2018.

Turnaround costs have come in at between £7.5m and £8m, with the adjusted loss estimated at £2.5m to £3m.

But the overall debt for Accrol, which also has a facial tissue plant in Blackburn, is reducing, down to £27.1million, bettering early 2019 predictions.

Dan Wright, Chairman of Accrol's chairman, said: "I am very pleased to report that we finished(the 2019 financial year) in a much stronger position, following the conclusion of a transformational restructuring, and that the new financial year has started well.

"The group is now enjoying the full benefits of the structural cost savings achieved (this year), achieving an acceptable level of margin for a business of its type.

"Our management team is confident of delivering further profitable revenue growth and creating new exciting opportunities for the group.

"I look forward to reporting further details of our progress when we announce the final results in September."

The announcement will come as a welcome boost for Accrol, which has been troubled recently by a Financial Conduct Authority investigation.

Earlier this year it was confirmed that an inquiry, previously examining statements made to the AIM market from April to November 2017, was being widened out to cover June 2016 to September 2018.