SHAREHOLDERS in bed giant Silentnight can sleep soundly tonight after the firm announced a leap in profits.

The Barnoldswick-based firm, which employs more than 4,000 people manufacturing beds and cabinet furniture, saw pre-tax profits increase by 16 per cent to £16.6 million in the year to January 31. The beds division, which recently bought the Rest Assured brand, saw sales increase by 10 per cent to £125.2 million.

And the cabinets divison's turnover rose by 11 per cent to £65.3 million.

The firm said a major investment programme at its plants in the UK and in the USA would lead to increased efficiency and capacity.

"We have made a good start to 1998 with growth in most of our key markets and we fully expect to improve further on last year's record results," said Bill Simpson, the company's chief executive.

Shareholders will receive a dividend of 11.5p.

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