Medical diagnostics firm Provalis last night said a strong performance from its diabetes testing product had helped drive annual sales up by almost 50 per cent.

The company, based in Deeside, Flintshire, said orders for the Glycosal test from two US companies had boosted sales of diagnostic products to £3.1m from £900,000 last year.

Updating investors ahead of annual results for the period to June 30, Provalis said total group sales, including its healthcare division, were £14m - a 49 per cent increase on last year.