The number of profit warnings issued by Yorkshire-based companies levelled out in the second quarter of the year, according to research by business advisers Ernst and Young.

A total of six profit warnings were issued by businesses between April and June, down from 21 in the previous quarter but still a slight increase on the same period last year.

Hunter Kelly, corporate restructuring partner for Ernst and Young, said the outlook is still not too bright: "We should obviously be pleased that there has not been an increase in warnings from Yorkshire companies.

"But this should not necessarily be viewed as a sign that trading conditions are improving."