PRINTING group St Ives saw sales and profits pull ahead in the first half of its financial year despite continuing tough trading in some markets.

But the group, which owns a factory in Blackburn which prints CD inserts, said the music industry continued to be difficult.

Pre-tax profits for the twenty six weeks to January 29 rose to £27.3 million, up from £24.1 million last year.

Sales were up to £223.2 million from £179.6 million. Last year, the company reported falling sales partly as a results of the high value of the pound but also as a result of lower business from financial clients and weakening demand for sleeve cards for compact discs.

The financial market improved in the first half with the group printing the documentation for a number of large City deals, including the BP Amoco merger.

In its statement to shareholders St Ives complained of "increased pressure on pricing in sales to music publishers with no reduction in the service levels required".

Meanwhile, discount department store group TJ Hughes, which has a store in Blackburn and is to open one in Burnley, has seen profits jump by 70 per cent to a record £5.1 million. Sales for the year to January were up by 35 per cent to £101.5 million.

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