BURY-based John David (JD) Group, which operates more than 400 sports and fashion stores nationwide, has wiped out previous losses to post a pre-tax profit of £3.229 million.

And the interim half-year results to July 29 also disclose that revenue has risen sharply from the previous figure of £209.608 million to £235.932 million and that group operating profit has increased to £3.1 million.

The company, whose headquarters are in Pilsworth, operates a chain of JD Sports and Allsports stores nationwide and recently acquired retail units in 14 UK airports.

Commenting on the results, executive chairman Peter Cowgill said: "Trading since the period end has been satisfactory with year to date like for like sales to September 23 in the JD Sports fascias now up by four per cent, excluding Allsports and the newly acquired airport stores.

"The fashion fascias like for like sales for the same period are now up by 5.7 per cent against weak comparatives. Overall the board expects results to continue to improve with trading to date currently running marginally ahead of market expectations."

The JD Group employs more than 8,500 staff nationwide. The company relocated to its current base at Hollins Brook Way in 2002.