Fizzing sales of premium Strongbow cider helped HP Bulmer brew up strong

profits last year.

Strongbow is now the tenth biggest alcohol brand in the UK and together with Bulmer's other cider brands, which include Woodpecker and Scrumpy Jack, accounts for 40 per cent of all cider consumed in the UK.

Chief executive Mike Hughes said: "More people are drinking Bulmer brands than ever before."

He added that in the last two years Strongbow had increased volumes by 17 per cent against a long drinks market that had declined by more than five per cent.

Strongbow is also set to receive another boost when it becomes the shirt sponsor of Premiership football club Leeds United in the coming season.

Profits before tax at Bulmer for the year ending April 28 came in at £27.8 million against £24.6 million a year earlier. Turnover was £334 million against £315 million.

However, against the bubbling UK market, the company put in a flatter performance in international markets. Bulmer said its Australian operations had been affected by the "worst summer on record" and heavy competition in the marketplace.

The company, based in Hereford, also took a small loss in China but against this made big strides in the U.S.

In December, Bulmer took over The American Hard Cider Company, which added the Cider Jack brand to its U.S. portfolio. Bulmer now has almost 50 per cent of the cider market in the U.S. and is looking for "double digit growth" in this "exciting market" this year.

Shareholders will receive a total dividend payment of 17.6p.