A Burley-in-Wharfedale-based home shopping firm has enjoyed a highly successful trading year.

Findel plc has announced a 20 per cent leap in turnover, from £201.7 to £241.3 million, along with a 25 per cent jump in operating profits, from £20.4 to £25.5 million.

The company's preliminary results for the year ending March 31, 2001, showed healthy growth across its three divisions - educational supplies, home shopping and the newly-launched services section.

The group, which changed its name from Fine Art Developments during the last year, sold off its 'charities business', including Bradford-based stationery firm Collisons, last month for £20 million.

Chairman Keith Chapman said: "It is particularly pleasing to report such strong progress in the group's performance, a trend that has continued into the current year.

"The group is developing in a much more focused way following the disposal of the Charities division.

''I am confident that our strong management will be successful in producing highly satisfactory results in the years ahead."

Findel, previously based in Bradford, has had its head office in Burley-in-Wharfedale for nearly four years, and employs 2,000 people at sites around the UK.

The home shopping firm, started in the Bradford area more than 40 years ago, is currently pursuing a bid for fellow UK educational supplies firm Novara PLC.

If successful, the acquisition would make Findel the largest independent specialist educational supplier in Britain.