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Renowned Christmas hamper firm Appreciate Group saw business “gradually improve” in the first quarter of the new year - recovering from a 70% drop in demand in April due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The Merseyside -based company today said total billings have “started to recover” - but were down 47% year-on-year in May, and 35% down in June, giving a year-to-date position of 48%.

In a trading update, CEO Ian O'Doherty, said: "We have seen a gradual recovery in trading, and we anticipate that this will continue as we move further away from the initial shock of lockdown.

"We have a clear strategy focused on a switch to digital products which will enable us to take advantage of the long term behavioural changes that COVID-19 is driving.

"We have a solid financial position and are confident that we will emerge strongly from this crisis."

The statement from the company, which last year changed its name from Park Group and moved to new offices in Liverpool city centre, said its Christmas Savings business is 10% below last year, and that cancellation rates are similar to previous years.

Earlier this year, Mr O'Doherty spoke to BusinessLive about the firm's rebrand - and why the North West is the best place to be for business.

The group is now accelerating its move to digital products - and it "anticipates improved trading in the coming months and as lockdown is further eased".

It intends to announce its final results for the year in August.