PROFITS at Blackburn brewery Thwaites rocketed more than 30 per cent in the first half of the year, new figures have revealed.

Pre-tax profit at Daniel Thwaites Plc rose from £3.7m in the first six months of 2012, to £4.9m in the first six months of this year.

Bosses at the brewery, which makes several beer brands, including Lancaster Bomber and Wainwright, said the rise was down to an increase in consumer confidence, and better weather.

Chairman Ann Yerburgh said: “The better summer weather has benefited many parts of the business, from volumes in the brewery to trade in our tenanted pubs and inns, many of which have seen growth over the summer months.

“We have seen some encouraging signs that consumer confidence is improving.”

Restructuring and ‘difficult steps’ that the company took during the last financial year are ‘beginning to show the improvements we had planned for’, the company said in a financial report.

The firm still plans to move from its current ‘ageing and oversized’ site it said, and it will continue to discuss its options with interested party Sainsbury’s, and Blackburn with Darwen Council in a bid to find a new site.

Mrs Yerburgh said: “Although progress is slower than we had hoped for, we are committed to finding a path forward.

“We have plans in place to make additional investment to ensure we make the most of our existing properties.

“Furthermore, we are well placed to acquire additional properties as opportunities arise, although we will continue to be highly selective.”