Cold storage group Norish has reported a 16 per cent rise in pre-tax profits to £2.3 million sterling (#3.734 million) in 1999. Announcing its results yesterday, chief executive Mr Paul Byrne said the group's two divisions were trading satisfactorily this year and he was confident about its prospects for the current year.

Earnings per share increased by 12.4 per cent from 17p sterling (25.1 cents) to 19.1p sterling (30.7 cents). The company has declared a dividend of 1p per ordinary share and the board is recommending a final dividend for 1999 of 3p per share. It proposes to pay the final dividend on May 26th.