BUSINESS advisers Ernst & Young say the North-west has recorded the lowest number of profit warnings in the country for the second consecutive quarter.

The firm's quarterly Analysis of Profit Warnings found there had been just three among regional quoted companies during the past three months. There were 10 during the same period last year.

Nationally, there were 45 profit warnings in the second quarter of the year compared with 44 during the first.

Ten of them were in the software and computer services sector.

The North-west warnings were from companies in chemical, food and support service.

Mr Scott Martin, a partner with Ernst & Young's Corporate Restructuring team in Manchester, said: "The findings reflect a positive image of the region's economy and the country as a whole.

"Economic forecasts continue to be optimistic for the rest of the year and, while sterling has lessened in strength in the last few months, it remains a powerful force against the euro."