COMPANY NEWS IN BRIEF

Year to 31 March

Avesco's pre-tax profits rose to pounds 795,000 (pounds 571,000). EPS 0.9p (0.7p). Total dividend 0.1p (nil).

Business Post, the overnight parcel and express mail delivery group, delivered higher pre-tax profits of pounds 9.1m (pounds 5.3m). EPS 12.2p (7.5p). Final dividend is 4.1p, making 6p (3.7p).

East Surrey Holdings' pre-tax profits marginally declined to pounds 8.15m (pounds 8.2m). EPS 52.2p (56.4p). Dividend is 10.7p, making 15.7p (12.38p).

Kewill Systems advanced to pounds 5.1m (pounds 4m) pre-tax profit. EPS 28.4p (23p). Final dividend is 4p, making 6.5p (5p).

John Tams, which makes mugs and tableware in earthenware and fine bone china, improved pre-tax profits to pounds 1.8m (pounds 1.45m). EPS 4.82p (3.89p). Dividend is 2.41p.

Year to 30 April

Jury's Hotel reported a sharp rise in pre-tax profits to Irpounds 6m (Irpounds 3.7m). EPS Ir16p (Ir11.1p). The final dividend is Ir3.65p, making Ir5.75p (Ir5.15p).

Norbain's pre-tax profits jumped to pounds 4.2m (pounds 2.3m) as turnover grew to pounds 56.7m (pounds 38.5m). EPS 29.12p (20.85p). Total dividend is 5p (2.25p).

Other results

Get Group lifted pre-tax profits to pounds 1.4m (pounds 1.1m) in the six months to 28 February. EPS 7.8p (6.1p). No interim dividend.

Premier Land's pre-tax profits fell to pounds 23,000 (pounds 470,000) in the six months to 31 March. EPS 0.01p (0.08p). No dividend.