WRAP enough cod in batter, slice enough potatoes into chips and sell enough of the fat encrusted end product to enough customers at the right price and you too could fry up a profitable plateful worth over £1 million a year.

Ramsden's this week produced sizzling results for the year to end September last with pre tax profits surging 21 per cent to £1.15 million sterling on turnover up 16 per cent to £4 million. The new outlet on the Nass Road, in Dublin, in which the former Irish football manager Jack Charlton has a 10 per cent interest, was a loss maker in its first year's trading but profits are anticipated within three years.

For shareholders, the portions are generous with total dividends rising 11 per cent to 5p a share.