The company said net earnings in the six months to 30 September were £1.06m ($1.71m), against a loss of £2.48m in the same period last year.

Revenue grew to £12.67m from £12.19m, while it logged an operating profit of £1.5m, up from a loss of £2m in 2012.

Last year it was hit with an impairment charge of £3.5m.

Executive chairman Johnny Plumbe said the results showed a solid performance in challenging markets.

Plumbe