ANTI-FORGERY specialist OpSec Security Group yesterday saw its half-year profits almost triple to a record high.

The group, which has its European base in Washington, Tyne and Wear, and its global headquarters in the US, said it was trading at record levels and considering a number of possible acquisitions.

Pre-tax profits for the six months to September 30 increased to £2.76m, up from £930,000 last year, while revenue climbed by £1.4m to £14.4m.

Turnover within its European operations grew by 24 per cent, while profitability more than quadrupled, OpSec said in a statement.

Chairman David Mahony said: "We view the prospects for the balance of the current year very positively.

"Current trading is at record levels and the group is actively pursuing a number of significant business opportunities.

"We are also in the early stages of a number of discussions with possible acquisitions which we believe would further strengthen the group."

The company is one of the largest manufacturers of brand security products, which include tamper-evident holographic labels, microscopic threads and tags for product protection and authentication.

Its products are used by some of the biggest names in business, from high-end fashion line D&G and sports brand adidas, to leaders in the music and movie industry and Italian motorcycle manufacturer Ducati. Millions of tags and labels have also been used on merchandise the football World Cup and the Winter Olympics

OpSec employs about 90 people at its manufacturing facility in Washington and design centre in Leicester.