Magners maker's profits decline

Magners is C&C's best known product in the UK

C&C, the maker of Magners cider, has reported half-year pre-tax profits of 57m euros, a drop of almost 14% on the first six months of last year.

The group said a rise in the amount of Magners it sold in Northern Ireland helped to offset a drop in sales in the rest of the UK market.

Overall, the volume of spirits and liqueurs sold dropped 15%.

Company bosses said conditions in late summer had also been tough and described the outlook as challenging.

But Chief Executive John Dunsmore said that the company was leaving its operating profit forecast for the full year unchanged at 77m euros to 82m euros.

He said a restructuring programme - including 120 lay-offs and a pay freeze - was on track to deliver 5m euros of savings.

C&C also makes Tullamore Dew whiskey and Irish Mist liqueur.