SUNDERLAND-based ScS pledged to plough more cash into its North-East stores yesterday as it unveiled record interim results.

Also on ScS's drawing board are plans to open a national training centre in Sunderland by the end of this financial year, which could boost its 100-strong head office staff.

Despite a tough retail environment, the sofa retailer bucked the trend and saw comfy pre-tax profits of almost £10m in the first six months of the year. Chief executive David Knight said ScS's house broker had upped full year pre-tax profit forecasts to £16.1m.

But he said that reflected continued expansion, with seven store openings in the next few months, hitting second-half profits. ScS now has 66 stores in the UK and that number will hit 73 by the end of the year.

It opened stores in Farnborough, Stirling and Watford.

Its North-East stores include outlets in South Shields, Darlington, Sunderland and Durham.

Mr Knight sounded a warning note about retail conditions, but said: "We believe the strength of the ScS formula and expansion strategy will enable us to successfully negotiate the challenges ahead."

The company last year opened a superstore in Portrack Lane, Stockton as part of a £4m expansion.

Chairman Mike Browne said future expansion would see six to eight stores open each year.