Bloomsbury publishers boosted by Harry Potter and Scarlett Johansson

Sales of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone helped grow half-year revenue for the publisher

Bloomsbury's print revenues were up 16 per cent to £60.1m (AFP/Getty)

Harry Potter and Scarlett Johansson helped grow revenues at publisher Bloomsbury in the first half of the year as the group's digital division continues to perform well.

The group said total revenues rose 15 per cent to £72.1m in the six months to August 31, while pre-tax profit jumped from £100,000 to £1.7m.

Print revenues were up 16 per cent to £60.1m as a Harry Potter Box Set and the new House Editions of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone proved popular.

Sales in digital resources, which features the recently launched Drama Online where Johansson is one of the featured actors, rose 15 per cent to £8.9m.

Boss Nigel Newton hailed a strong set of results and reeled off a list of more potential money spinners.

He said: "It has been a very strong six months for Bloomsbury. Revenues are up 15 per cent, with good growth in each of our territories. The Children's Trade division delivered another outstanding performance, increasing revenues by 33 per cent. The Group is trading in line with the Board's expectations for the full year.”

"We have a strong second half list including the Illustrated Edition of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the Illustrated Edition of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and two major books to accompany the British Library's Harry Potter exhibition."

PA