FOOD producer Cranswick announced an increase in turnover of 14 per cent for last year.

The group, which announced the closure of sausage factory Lazenby's, in Thornaby, near Stockton, in February, moving production to Hull, said profits before tax rose seven per cent to £21.1m.

Chairman Jim Bloom said: "In a year that presented a number of challenges to our business, it is pleasing to announce results in line with expectations. Sales of food, which accounted for almost three quarters of the company's turnover in the year, increased by 21 per cent to £201m, reflecting particularly strong growth in sales of gourmet sausages and continental foods plus ten months' sales from The Sandwich Factory, acquired in May 2003."