A BRADFORD manufacturer has cleaned up with an almost nine per cent increase in pre-tax profits to more than £ 2.6 million.

Astonish, which makes cleaning products at its base in Straithgate Lane, reported an 8.6 per cent rise in its pre-tax profits in the year up to May 31. This was up from £2.4m for the 12 months to May 31, 2015.

But it did record a 2.8 per cent decrease in sales to £16.4m following a slight drop in its exports to the Far and Middle East.

This figure was down from £16.8m in the 12 months to May 31, 2015.

An Astonish spokesman accepted the firm recorded a fall in its sales figures but added it still reported positive results for the last financial year.

He said: “During the 2015 to 2016 financial year, our turnover did experience a slight decline.

“Despite this, Astonish continued to report positive results, with an 8.6 per cent rise in pre-tax profits and growth ahead of the cleaning market.”

It makes a range of 70 products which are Vegetarian Society approved as well as being registered with the Vegan Society and Cruelty Free International.

It employs 73 people from its £4.5m factory near the M606 motorway.

Astonish, whose managing director is Howard Moss, also exports to around 40 countries worldwide including Japan, Central America and South Korea. Its products are sold by leading UK value chains, including Staples, B&Q, Poundland and B&M Bargains, along with supermarket chains including Morrisons and Asda.

Astonish announced last year that they would invest a further £350,000 in new production equipment along with £300,000 on fitting solar panels on to the factory roof.