Sales in the six months to 30 September rose 9% to 53.5m, while pre-tax profit prior to exceptionals jumped 24% to 5.3m.

The firm, which specialises in private label greetings products such as giftwrap and cards, took a 648,000 exceptional charge related to obtaining a pan-European licence with Disney Consumer Products.

Last month it also expanded on the continent with the acquisition of Dutch giftwrap specialist Hoomark, and joint chief executive Nick Fisher said the firm saw substantial potential on mainland Europe.

As well as cards and giftwrap, International Greetings typically produces 38m crackers a year, and said Christmas trading forecasts from its customers were encouraging. We are optimistic about the full year, Fisher added.

The firms share price rose 7p to 288p on the news. Prior to the results the 52-week high was 277p, reached at the end of November.