Profits are up at Carr's Group, the Carlisle-based agriculture and engineering group.

The company made £14.1 million before tax in the year to September 3, up 2.8 per cent from £13.7m in the previous year.

Operating profit was 5.6 per cent higher at £12.8m. This growth was achieved despite lower sales as turnover fell by 4.9 per cent to £314.9m.

Chairman Chris Holmes said: “In what has been a challenging year in the sectors in which we operate, I am pleased to report that the group has delivered a solid result.

“The current financial year has started in line with our expectations and we will continue to review suitable acquisition opportunities whilst investing in our existing businesses both in the UK and overseas."

Carr’s has 50 UK sites, a robotics business in Germany and animal-feed plants in the United States.

Its Cumbrian operations include the Carrs Billington machinery dealerships and country retail stores, and Bendalls Engineering in Carlisle.

During the year it sold Silloth Flour Mill was sold as part of the disposal its food division to Whitworths.