PROFITS at footwear firm Lambert Howarth, which last month axed 200 jobs at its Burnley site, have more than doubled.

Announcing results for the first half of the year, group chairman Sir Trevor Holdsworth paid tribute to the staff at the Healey Royd works.

"Despite the efforts of our employees, for which the company would like to record its appreciation, it has not been possible to retain the facility for manufacturing."

Turnover for the first six months of the year rose by 14 per cent to £51 million and pre-tax profits rose by 117 per cent to £1.7 million.

The profit figure was affected by a £1.3 million sum set aside for the costs of ending footwear manufacture at the Burnley site.

Managing director Robert Garfit said prospects for the group were good and highlighted the "decisive action" taken in closing the Burnley factory.

Closure of the site was blamed on a major market shift away from the type of shoes produced at the works.

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