A leap in profits for Lego

Lego, the toymaker, has delivered a leap in operating profits, as soaring demand for classic products and movie-themed lines helped it to buck the economic downturn.

Jogen Vig Knudstorp, the chief executive of the group, described its results as "highly satisfactory", boasting growth in the US and double digit sales rises in "most" European and Asian markets. He said that sales of licensed-based products, in particular, were "above expectations" last year, citing Star Wars, Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean. Sales of classic lines, such as Lego City, and Technic and Creator also "rose sharply". Lego posted a 15 per cent jump in operating profits to £660m for 2011.