Sales increased by more than 4 per cent at the 27 pharmacy outlets in Ireland owned by the Boots group in the six months to September 30th, contributing positively to the group's improved interim figures.

Boots directors said the Irish business notched up particularly strong sales growth in men's products and toiletries, where sales gains hit 7.5 per cent.

Boots' first half profits increased 10.5 per cent growth to £278 million sterling on sales up 6.3 per cent at £2.47 billion. The group's Irish involvement stems mainly from the £13 million acquisition in early 1998 of the Hayes Conyngham & Robinson chain of 15 stores in Dublin and Cork, quickly followed by the £22 million purchase of the Connors chain with five stores in the Republic complementing the 25 stores of Connors in Northern Ireland.