Marston's reports sales growth - graduate jobs

Pub and brewing group Marston's has reported a strong growth in sales, boosting hopes that the firm could create new graduate jobs over the coming months.

During the 23 weeks to March 12, the company - which sells beer under the Pedigree, Banks's and Jennings brands - recorded a 4% year-on-year increase in own-brewed beer volumes.

The group saw the improvement despite persistent economic uncertainty during the period, which led to a 7% decline in the wider UK ale market.

Marston's said its performance was boosted by England's Ashes cricket triumph. This gave the Pedigree brand a publicity boost, leading to a 16% increase in sales of bottled ale across the portfolio.

Meanwhile its managed pubs division witnessed a 2.4% increase in like-for-like sales, thanks to high demand for food.

According to the Pitcher & Piano and Tavern Table operator, sales improved during the early part of 2011, after a rise of 3% in the past seven weeks.

The Wolverhampton-based company added that underlying profit trends at its tenanted and leased pubs division continued to improve, with like-for-like profits up 0.1% against the 4% decline seen in the 2010 financial year.

Chief executive Ralph Findlay described the company's trading performance in the first half of its financial year as "encouraging".