COMPUTER firm P&P has seen its profits edge up again.

The Haslingden-based group announced pre-tax profits in the six months to June up by five per cent to £6.5 million.

Turnover increased by four per cent to £179.2 million and the interim dividend to shareholders is up by nine per cent to 1.25p a share.

Group managing director David Southworth said the results were "very pleasing".

He added: "In mix terms the business is now more or less how I want it to be and hopefully the performance will follow." P&P has made several major acquisitions in the last two years.

Chairman Professor Sir Roland Smith said the board was confident of the firm's future prospects.

"The board is pleased with the progress which its businesses continue to make and remains positive about the continuing market opportunities in the future."

In April, the firm bought IT staff specialist Myriad Group in a deal worth up to £12.5 million. Myriad specialises in supplying IT staff on contract.

And at P&P's annual general meeting it announced the award of a three year contract with Marks & Spencer which began this month.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.