In spite of the tough dairy and doorstep market, the maker of Clover and Cathedral City has asserted that the attempts to focus on its key brands paid off as half-year profits saw a rise.

The group's brands comprise of Country Life butter, St Hubert Omega 3 spread and Frijj milkshake. However the group is said to have seen a rise in underlying pre-tax profits to £40.1 million for the six months to September 30.

The lower performance in its dairies and the higher profits in cheese are said to be fighting against the highly competitive milk market.

In the face of rising input costs, the results are also said to have shored up along with rise in selling prices and efficiency savings. The profits at that time too are said to have augmented despite the 3% fall in revenues.

In opposition to the year earlier, the targeted advertising and promotions is said to have seen sales across its five key brands. Cathedral City and St Hubert Omega 3 are said to have delivered boosts of 10% and 7% respectively, which have come out to be the best performers.

"With operational efficiencies and selling price increases in certain categories limiting the impact of higher input costs, we are confident that we can continue to deliver profits in line with our expectations", the Company said.