Associated British Foods, the food conglomerate that owns Primark, has lifted forecast for its yearly profit as better weather pushed sales at the fashion chain up.

AB Foods said sales at Primark were up by 9 per cent in the past six-month period, driven by strong trading in UK. AB Foods further said that for the full year, Primark's like- for-like sales were hoped to grow by 7 per cent.

AB Foods described the division's performance as "very strong."

Primark has opened new outlets in Germany, Barcelona and Portugal in the current year.

Comparatively cheaper clothes, footwear along with summer dresses helped the chain to post better than expected results. Sugar and agriculture sections of the chain also reported big gains.

Speaking about the results, John Bason, AB Foods' finance director, said, "People can be confident that we have a robust business here and that has given investors a lot of confidence."

In early London trading, shares in AB Foods soared to 840p, gaining 3.5 per cent.