Midlands- based Dechra Pharmaceuticals was in upbeat mood yesterday - predicting further progress this year after trading in line with expectations.

In a trading update ahead of preliminary results for the year to June, the Stoke-on-Trent dog, cat and horsemedical specialist, which employs around 650 people in Staffordshire and Yorkshire, said that both its services and pharmaceutical divisions had continued to perform well.

Dechra added that the businesses had built on the good growth achieved in the first half, reflecting the ongoing improvement in market conditions.

It expects to give further details of the programme in its preliminary announcement in September.