TEESSIDE'S PD Ports, Logistics and Shipping is to continue with its expansion plans after seeing both turnover and profit increase in the past six months.

The company's growth strategy saw turnover increase by 3.2 per cent to £79.7m for the six months to September.

Profit before tax also increased by 14.4 per cent to £6.3m.

Operational highlights for the half-year included the successful completion of the implementation of the first phase of a container terminal in Teesport.

New feeder routes were also attracted to Teesport, while the successful sale of the Cory Brothers business was completed.

The company comprises four main divisions - PD Teesport, PD Logistics, PD Port Services and PD Truck and Van.

Group chief executive Graham Roberts said: "These are very positive results for PD Ports.

"They have been achieved in an extremely competitive market place and clearly show the benefits of the new growth strategy that we have developed and implemented over the last year."