Gillette helps sharpen P&G profit

Cutting edge: Beckham is the face of Gillette's new razor

Sales of razors advertised by David Beckham have helped Procter & Gamble increase its profits by 33% to $2.7bn (£1.4bn) between July and September.

P&G bought Gillette last year and its products - including the new Fusion razor - helped sales rise 27%

When the impact of new acquisitions such as Gillette were stripped out, sales were up 6%.

P&G, which owns brands such as Ariel, Pampers and Duracell, also upped profit forecasts thanks to lower fuel costs.

The company added that it expected annual organic sales growth of between 4% and 6%, while total sales should grow between 9% and 11%.

Earlier this month, P&G said it was to resume Chinese sales of its SK-II cosmetics line after the products were recalled last month following a health scare.