SNACKS maker Seabrook Crisps enjoyed a profits surge and higher sales in the face of challenging trading conditions last year.

The Bradford manufacturer, which was bought by its management from the founding Brook family in a £35 million deal earlier this year, continued its revival by posting a 60 per cent increase in pre-tax profits of £1.83 million in the year to March 29 .

Accounts lodged at Companies House show that turnover was 11 per cent higher at £27.2 million.

The latest figures mark two consecutive years of profit and a significant turnaround since Seabrook posted a third annual loss in 2011 of nearly £1.8 million.

Chief Executive Jonathan Bye , who led the management buyout backed by private equity house LDC, said: “We continue to outperform the category in a very tough trading environment and have exciting plans for 2016 in our ambitions to maintain this level of performance.”

In a business review Mr Bye says Seabrook responded to the changing UK retail market, including aggressive promotions and the rise of the discounters, through agility and its ability to meet retailers' changing needs.

He said the challenging trading conditions were expected to continue, meaning that Seabrook would need to continue seeking cost and operational efficiencies to underpin its profitability.

Seabrook, which has around 150 employees, had increased household penetration to 26 per cent of the market and its new straight cut and lattice crisps had attracted new consumers with sales expected to grow further.

The firm was continuing its strategy of building brand awareness and would continue to promote its core crinkle cut crisps products, along with launching a new sharing product, Seabrook Originals to mark the firm's 70th anniversary.

Mr Bye. who joined the company in 2012, said is was in a good position to build on its success.

Seabrook last month revealed plans to sell five acres of surplus freehold land adjacent to its Duncombe Road base to generate funds for further investment.

Agents Dove Haigh Phillips, are seeking offers by December 1, and said that several serious enquires had bene received.

Jonathan Bye said: “The business continues to grow so releasing this unused land will provide additional investment to ensure we can continue to fulfil increasing demand. We also hope the sale could lead to more benefits for the local economy, through subsequent investment by the future owners.”