THERE were no surprises from Northumbrian Water as it announced trading in line with expectations since April 1 ahead of today's annual shareholders meeting.

The firm said operating costs for the 12 months to March 2011 are forecast to increase by around 4per cent.

The company said the effect of changes to the corporation tax rates and capital allowances in June's emergency budget, which come into effect in April next year, were expected to be "broadly neutral" over the period to March 2015.

At todays meeting the firm will propose a final dividend of 8.85p per share, giving a full year ordinary dividend of 13.24p per share, an increase of 3.5per cent.

The company, based at Pity Me, County Durham, said it would announce its half-yearly results for the six months ending September 30, 2010 on November 30.