Positive outlook for Marshalls

MARSHALLS, the specialist concrete, stone and clay products group, reported a 66 per cent increase in pre-tax profits to pounds 19m in its first half to 30 June.

Christopher Burnett, the company chairman, said growing interest in gardens and the urban environment, and rising investment in schools and hospitals, led him to be positive about the outlook for Marshalls for the rest of this year. The shares closed down 4.5p at 105p.