Talks on general restructuring with lenders took 18 months, it said.

Agreements were signed which extend the term of existing bank loans to 2018. They were originally taken out in 2010.

New terms have replaced a number of covenants that were making growth-orientated group development difficult, it added.

"We now have much more scope to make investments as well as negotiate loans and credit structures which support the planned expansion and strengthening of our equity basis," it said.

It