Profits at toiletries and make-up group Body Shop International showed a 76 per cent increase after management spent a year restructuring the business.

The group, based in Littlehampton, famous for its environmentally-friendly stance, said it had successfully strengthened its operational structure, improving areas such as product development, marketing and distribution.

The lift in bottomline pre-tax profits to £20.4 million came despite a tough time for sales, with the like-for-like figure down one per cent.

Total sales were up two per cent to £697.1 million in the year to March 1.

Body Shop, which has more than 300 outlets in the UK and Ireland, has been battling to improve its fortunes after profits and sales came under pressure because of rivals developing similar products.

The company issued three profits warnings in the space of 18 months prior to a management reshuffle early last year.

Chief executive Peter Saunders, who took the helm in February last year, said: "Although much has already been achieved, further improvements in operating efficiency can still be realised."

In total, worldwide, Body Shop operates from 1,968 outlets.