Confectionery group Cadbury Schweppes said it was expecting full-year profits to be at the lower end of expectations after a difficult summer for its European drinks business.

The company said its drinks operations in France and Spain, which include Orangina, had felt the impact of wet weather in the past few months in common with the rest of the industry.

A spokesman said its profits forecast remained in line with guidance given earlier in the year.

But he said: "The European drinks market has been weak because we have had a very poor summer, so the comparatives with last year's hot summer are quite difficult."

Cadbury, which makes Dairy Milk in the UK, said its global confectionery businesses had continued to do well.

The group said in a market update: "Although a significant proportion of our sales and profits are earned in the final three months of the year, we continue to expect to deliver financial results within our goal ranges, but toward the lower end."

Cadbury employs 54,000 people around the world, about 7,000 in the UK at eight sites.

As well as the Dairy Milk range, its chocolate brands include Roses, Flake, Crunchie, Double Decker, Picnic, Turkish Delight and Boost.

Its European soft drinks business, was boosted in 2001 by the acquisitions of Spanish soft drinks manufacturer La Casera and the continental European, North American and Australian soft drinks business of Pernod Ricard.