SOFT DRINKS:Revenues at Britvic's Irish division fell by 11.1 per cent in its third quarter due to lower volumes and prices. The soft drinks maker said volumes were down 7.6 per cent, while the average realised price for products declined by 4.2 per cent. Britvic Ireland employs about 600 people in Ireland, having reduced its headcount by 100 last year.

The group yesterday announced quarterly revenues which were 5.1 per cent lower due to bad weather and a recall of its Fruit Shoot products in the Britain and France earlier this month. British revenues were down by 6.9 per cent, with volumes falling by 7.1 per cent. Revenues at its French subsidiary rose by 4.3 per cent despite volumes declining by 2.4 per cent. International revenues were down 1.3 per cent.

Britvic, whose brands include MiWadi, 7Up, Ballygowan, Robinsons, Pepsi and Tango, said it expected full-year group capital expenditure in the region of £50 million (€63 million) following the Fruit Shoot recall.

The group said last week the recall was likely to cost up to €19 million.