PR firms Freshwater UK and Huntsworth started the year on a high and are optimistic about growth.

Freshwater, which last year acquired Brindleyplace-based PR firm Quantum, reported a 50 per cent increase in first-half pretax profit, boosted by a 54 per cent sales rise.

The PR and marketing services group posted a pretax profit of £455,869 for the six months to the end of February, up from £304,477 on a turnover of £4.1 million, up from £2.7 million.

The group made several acquisitions last year, including Leeds-based community relations specialist Lynx Public Relations and the Waterfront Partnership, a London and Brussels-based public affairs agency.

Freshwater chief executive Steve Howell said: "The results show strong growth across the business and the acquisitions are performing well. We look forward to developing combined and cross selling opportunities and continue to expand the group through acquisitions."

Huntsworth, owner of Sutton Coldfield PR firm Haslimann Taylor and Citigate at Five Ways, also made a good start with record net new business in the first quarter of 2008.

The London-based international PR firm, which has operations in 31 countries, said it was encouraged by a very strong new business pipeline, reporting 80 per cent of the group's forecast revenue for this year has been committed.

Amongst its new remits, the firm has won an international contract for Land Rover's sustainability programme campaign across 12 markets. Other big contract wins include supporting the Environment Agency in its national Flood Awareness Campaign, and Shire and Merck-Serono for the Huntsworth Health division.

Huntsworth CEO Peter Chadlington said: "The year has begun well with a very satisfactory first quarter which has continued into the beginning of Quarter 2. Having 80 per cent of our forecast revenue committed at this early stage gives us considerable confidence for the year."