A DISPLAY marketing firm's pre-tax profits rose 116 per cent thanks to a restructuring of its distribution team.

Premier Direct, which sells discount books, arts and homeware products directly to staff in their workplace, said it had overcome a difficult 18 months in which it found it difficult to recruit suitable employees.

Distributor numbers were up 70 per cent on April last year, a direct result of changes made by a new management team.

The group also benefited from a tie-in with US direct sales organisation DS-Max which sources cheaper products from the Far East.

Profits before taxation rose from £233,000 to £504,000 over a sixth-month period to January 31.

Earnings per share were up 186 per cent to 10.3p and group net debt was reduced 26 per cent to £2.9m.

Jon Pither, chairman, said: "Recruitment of new distributors, an area fundamental to the progress of our business, continues to proceed at record levels and we are confident that this will continue for the foreseeable future.