Belfast aircraft manufacturer Shorts has reported a drop in profits last year, but insists that business is looking up in 1997.

Full-year figures, issued yesterday, show that profits slipped from £33.8 million sterling (£36.9 million) in the previous year to £30 million in the year to the end of January 1997.

Sales also slumped, dropping from £391 million to £358 million. Operating profits fell to £28.3 million.