ROLLS-ROYCE today announced a sharp increase in pre-tax profits for the first six months of the year, up to £129 million from £59 million last year.

The company, which employs around 900 people at its two aerospace factories in Barnoldswick, said the results were in line with its expectations.

Chief executive Sir John Rose told shareholders that the company now had £18.1 billion of orders on its books. "All our businesses have developed good market positions and, importantly, we are established on new programmes which will shape the power systems markets for the next generation," he said.