E-learning company Thirdforce has reported a rise in pretax losses to €1.37 million last year, from €1.2 million at the end of 2005, despite a rise in sales.

Turnover at the company rose by 33 per cent to €16.75 million. Operating profit before goodwill amortisation and share-option charges was €1 million, up from the previous year's figure of €669,000. The company's net debt was reduced from €6.7 million to €5.3 million.

The company, which has offices in Ireland, Britain, Canada and Australia, has made several acquisitions over the past number of years, including Electric Paper Company, AV Edge and Creative Learning Media.

Company chairman Pat McDonagh said that 2006 was a year of investment in product development and creating new markets as the company integrated Creative Learning Media and broadened the business from IT skills and assessment into the hospitality and leisure sector - an e-learning market which the company said had high-growth potential.

Electric Paper and Creative Learning Media developed a new set of products for the health and social-care market in Britain.