A CUMBRIAN agricultural and engineering firm has reported positive interim results despite “a challenging operational environment”.

Carr’s Group PLC, located in Stanwix, Carlisle, has reported a £10.9m adjusted operating profit in a report detailing the 26 weeks to February 27 – a 5.3 per cent increase on the same period in 2020.

It has also reported that its year-on-year feed sales volumes increased by 0.4 per cent, machinery revenues by 29.1 per cent and total retail sales by 4.1 per cent.

Its engineering order book stands at £44m, an increase of £7m compared to the end of 2020.

Chief executive officer Hugh Pelham said: “Despite a challenging operational environment with significant headwinds experienced in engineering, we have delivered an improved performance compared to the same period last year.

“Our Speciality Agriculture and Agricultural Supplies divisions have performed particularly strongly.

“Carr’s Group owns a portfolio of good businesses with strong market positions and our people have responded brilliantly to the challenge of working in a Covid environment.

“Considerable opportunity exists to optimise the current portfolio."

Tim Farron MP has said that the news is a positive for the area.

“At such a difficult and uncertain time for farming, agriculture and businesses as a whole, it’s fantastic to hear such positive news from Carr’s Billington," the Westmorland & Lonsdale MP said.

“Without thriving agriculture we wouldn’t have food to eat and we wouldn’t have our beautiful local landscape. It’s so important that we continue to back local farmers and all of our local agricultural economy.”