Catalogue and fashion company Damart says it is bucking the decline in the mail order market after posting a record pre-tax profit of £3.3 million.

The results continue the Bingley-based business' return to form after recording a £400,000 loss in 2004.

Turnover was up by 7.2 per cent and pre-tax profit has soared by £1.3 million from last year.

Managing director Andy Hill said: "This record year, coming on top of last year's record year, exceeded our expectations.

"We are coming to see, in improved profitability the returns from investments in our customers, our people and our infrastructure.

"We also enjoyed exceptional demand for warm clothing during the cold winter of 2005, but thanks to investments in our people and our infrastructure we coped fantastically well with the increased volumes in November, December and January." Damart recently expanded its distribution centre in Steeton, adding 90,000 sq ft and spent £1 million upgrading its mailing centre in Earby.

It has a customer base of more than two million and still continues to rely on mail order services for 90 per cent of its sales.