Dairy firm in profit rise

Dairy Crest today saw a 24 per cent rise in pre-tax profits from £77.4m to £96.1m despite falling sales of its Shropshire-made Clover brand.

The group said revenue was up 20 per cent, largely as a result of its purchase of St Hubert and Express Dairies last year.

But sales of Clover spread, made at Crudgington, were down 11 per cent on the previous year following a recall in May 2007 when the company was forced to take two million tubs off the shelves.

Group debt increased over the course of the year and stood at £474.8m at the end of March.