Rolls-Royce said growth in its aero engine and maintenance business helped it notch up a 49 per cent rise in annual profits and an order book record of £22.9bn.

The firm, which makes fan blades for 80 per cent of the world's jet engines from its base at Barnoldswick, said it had achieved strong orders and sales growth by introducing new products, expanding after-market services and developing past acquisitions. Growth in sales and efficiency savings also helped.