Wolverhampton-based pub chain Marston's Pubs has announced an increase in revenue after sales of both food and drinks increased during the last year.

The business revealed that its sales were 1.7 per cent ahead of last year, which included food sales growth of 2.5 per cent and an increase of 1.4 per cent in its managed pubs division.

A spokesperson for the group said: "We have seen improving trends in each division and made good progress in implementing our strategy. Our focus on value for money, high quality pubs, food and local beers places us in a strong position to meet the challenges ahead."

This news should be seen as positive for the British food industry and comes shortly after a company claimed that the British public favour chilled foods over their frozen counterparts.

Northern Foods, which supplies a range of British supermarkets, announced sales figures that saw a 16.1 per cent rise in the sale of chilled foods, while frozen food sales decreased by 16.2 per cent.