Bosses at hi-tech giant Filtronic have seen their pay packets rise by thousands of pounds.

The firm, which recently announced a 46 per cent rise in profits, saw group sales drop this year to £280.5 million - last year's total was £297.4 million.

Despite the fall in sales the firm says it is in a much stronger position now than it was last year.

Filtronic, which employs about 1,000 people at its head office sites in Saltaire and Baildon, produces a wide range of mobile phone network and electronic components.

This year's results saw the firm's profits grow from the £12.2 million it made last year to £17.8 million.

Professor David Rhodes, 58, executive chairman and company founder, received a salary of £173,979 this year.

Together with benefits totalling £14,087 his total pay package for the financial year ending May 31 was £188,066, up from £179,220 the previous year.

Professor Christopher Snowden, 46, chief executive officer, received a £139,708 salary. With benefits of £11,132 added, his total pay packet for the year reached £150,840, up from the £146,637 he received last year.

Alan Needle, 47, the firm's managing director, was paid a £148,000 salary package. Mr Needle, who was appointed to the board in January 2001, received benefits from the firm totalling £12,830 to take his total pay packet to £160,830.

Dr Christopher Mobbs, 40, who has been director of engineering with the firm since last year, was paid a £124,208 salary. Including benefits of £14,878, his total pay packet rose to £139,086.

John Samuel, financial director, 46, received a £139,271 salary. With benefits of £9,376 added, his total pay rose to £148,647 - up from last year's £139,782.

Company secretary Christopher Schofield, 39, was paid a salary of £109,583. With benefits totalling £10,958, his total reached £120,541, up from the £114,405 he was paid last year.

In total the firm paid its executives and non-executives £1,028,010. Last year the total it paid out was £954,749.

Three of the firm's board members also made paper gains of more than £100,000 after exercising share options in the firm. Mr Samuel, Dr Mobbs and Mr Needle exercised share options during the year for a total gain on paper of £107,575.

Professor Rhodes said in a statement about the firm's results: "Filtronic is much stronger than it was one year ago, both financially and operationally. Filtronic holds the number one independent supplier position in its two major businesses.

"Both cash flow and operating margins in those businesses are strong. Actions have been taken to improve trading performance in our smaller businesses. The company has and continues to be cash generative.

"Since 31 May 2001, total debt has been reduced by £37.7 million and cash balances increased. While global market conditions remain challenging and the short term outlook is unclear Filtronic will continue to improve the efficiency of its businesses and reduce its debt when practical."