Brewer Scottish & Newcastle last night said its Foster's and Kronenbourg 1664 beers had helped it get the year off to a good start.

S&N said its UK brands had experienced good trading conditions since January, led by very good performances from the two flagship lagers.

The group said it had growing confidence in the momentum of its key brands following its strong Christmas performance.

Trading in the first four months of the year had been better than the same period last year, it said.

S&N recently announced the closure of its Fountainbridge and Tyne breweries, in Edinburgh and Newcastle, with the loss of nearly 300 jobs.

It acknowledged in a statement accompanying its annual meeting yesterday that the closures were "difficult and sad for those affected".

But it said the decisions would improve the cost base of the business and enable increased brand invest ment.