Retailer WH Smith reported a sharp jump in half-year profits after benefiting from efforts to turn around the ailing high street business.
The group, which has 667 retail outlets, including one in Bolton, as well as a news distribution arm, said its recovery remained on track despite tough trading conditions.
The improvement was shown in underlying profits of £70 million in the six months to February 28, up 32 per cent on a year earlier and reflecting a 31pc boost in earnings at the company's core high street retail business.
Chief executive Kate Swann said there was a long way to go in the recovery but believed that customers were starting to notice the difference in the stores.
The recovery plan was launched last year as WH Smith came to terms with annual losses of £135 million and an "unacceptable performance" by its stores.
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