A CARLISLE based agricultural and engineering firm has reported bumper interim results despite "a challenging operational Environment".

Carr's Group PLC, located in Stanwix, has reported a £10.9m adjusted operating profit in a report detailing the 26 weeks to February 27 - a 5.3 per cent increase on the same period in 2020.

It has also reported that its feed sales volumes, year on year, increased by 0.4 per cent, machinery revenues increased by 29.1 per cent and total retail sales by 4.1 per cent.

It engineering order book stands at £44m, an increase of £7m compared to the end of 2020.

Hugh Pelham, chief executive officer, said: “Despite a challenging operational environment with significant headwinds experienced in engineering we have delivered an improved performance compared to the same period last year.

"Our Speciality Agriculture and Agricultural Supplies divisions have performed particularly strongly.

"The outlook for Engineering is for an improved performance in the second half of the financial year.

"Carr’s Group owns a portfolio of good businesses with strong market positions and our people have responded brilliantly to the challenge of working in a Covid environment.

"Considerable opportunity exists to optimise the current portfolio.

"Growth can be achieved through a mixture of geographic expansion, selling all our service lines to our customer base, and acquisition and potential industry consolidation."