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A Cumbria-headquartered advanced materials and paper products group, which has worked with the likes of Selfridges, Burberry and Lush, is set to report "positive" results for its latest financial year despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

James Cropper plc has issued a "positive trading update" for the 52 weeks to March 27, 2021 to the London Stock Exchange in which it confirmed that the group's profits before exceptional costs is expected to be above £3.5m on sales of about £77m.

In its prior financial year, the group's sales totalled £104.1m with its pre-tax profits standing at £5.5m.

The group said its forecasts for its current year are an improvement from previous market expectations and includes around £2.9m of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and Paycheck Protection Program government schemes.

A statement issued to the London Stock Exchange said: "As reported in the half year results to 26 September 2020, the first half of the year had been particularly challenging due to the significant impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"The group responded quickly to the challenges taking swift action to protect staff, reduce costs, optimise cash flow and protect liquidity.

"All divisions of the group were affected to varying degrees by the pandemic. Since the half year, trading has improved, and the restructuring program is now complete."

The update comes after the group's TFP division acquired PV3 Technologies, a company specialising in the development and manufacture of electrochemical materials used in the creation of hydrogen, in January.