San Carlo, the restaurant group which began life in Birmingham and now boasts a string of sites across the UK and abroad, is toasting increasing sales and profits.

The upmarket Italian chain revealed it is looking to expand its horizons with new outlets in the Middle East, Turkey and China.

San Carlo chairman Marcello Distefano said: "The directors of the San Carlo Group of companies are pleased to announce another strong year, with turnover rising 12.47 per cent to £46.18 million for the year ending September 30, 2014.

"Profit also rose four per cent as the group continued to invest in new venues with the opening of Cicchetti in Covent Garden, London, and Fumo restaurant, bar and late lounge in Manchester, both launched during the last three months of 2014.

"With these new restaurants, the group is projecting turnover rising to £55 million for the current financial year.

"The directors are continuing to look at new opportunities across the group restaurants with particular emphasis on the Cicchetti and Fumo brands both in the UK and internationally.

"Sites are already secured in Qatar and Bahrain, with further openings planned in Istanbul and China."