LANCASHIRE-BASED Snackhouse plc has announced disappointing results for last year with profit before tax down 43 per cent to £2 million.

The company owns the Bensons crisps brand which used to be made in Great Harwood before production was switched to Kirkham in the 1980s.

Chairman Sid Taylor said the company had lost a significant contract and a customer had cancelled a large order at short notice.

Turnover for the 12 months to November 30 was up just one per cent to £49.1 million. A final dividend of 0.7p per share will be paid to shareholders, down by 61 per cent on last year.