WOLSTENHOLME Rink PLC has announced an increase in pre-tax profits, before exceptional items, from £7.57 million to £7.66 million for the year to December 1998.

Sales rose from £84 million to £86 million and earnings per share from 62.5p per share to 66.4p per share.

The Board is to propose a final dividend of 18p per share, making a total of 28.5p for the year - an increase of 5.6pc on the dividend per share for 1997.

Joint chairman Tony Rink said: "The strength of sterling has continued to have an adverse effect on the results of the business. When compared to 1997 the cost to the Group has been approximately £0.5 million."

Wolstenholme International has become the first East Lancs firm to be accredited with the Investors in People award for the third time.

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