Restaurant group Ask Central served investors another helping of profits growth.

The group controlling Ask and Zizzi pizza and pasta restaurants has 140 outlets, including Brighton, Crawley, Horsham, Burgess Hill, Lewes, Chichester and Haywards Heath.

Pre-tax profits surged 30 per cent to £13.6 million last year and progress has continued into this year.

Bottom-line pre-tax profits for the six months to June rose 28 per cent to £7.6 million. Turnover was up to £45.1 million from £36.2 million a year earlier.