Yorkshire Co-operatives has announced record sales of £479 million during the year 2000 - a 19 per cent increase over the previous year.

The society, now the fourth largest independent retail co-operative in the UK, reported profits of more than £11.7 million - up 6.6 per cent on 1999.

Chief executive Peter Marks said the record sales were the result of a long-term investment and expansion programme. "Last year alone we ploughed £18 million into food stores, petrol forecourts, motor dealerships and travel shops, making significant new purchases and refurbishing existing outlets," he said.

Mr Marks revealed that plans for a £20 million re-development of land alongside the flagship Sunwin department store and headquarters in Bradford were moving ahead, with a planning application due to be submitted in the next few weeks.

The food division had sales of £140.8 million (up 8.6 per cent); motor group division turnover was £129.2 million (up 45.8 per cent); department stores division sales were £60.7 million (up 8.5 per cent); travel division turnover was £60.3 million including foreign exchange; petrol sites division saw a record £20 million sales increase to £73.7 million; funeral division sales were up £0.7 million to £9.2 million.

Yorkshire Co-operatives was established in 1860, employs more than 4,000 staff and has 202,000 members. Its retail outlets include 12 Sunwin department stores and 114 Foodmarkets and Late Shop branches. It has 14 motor retail outlets, 21 petrol sites, 30 funeral director services and 20 travel agency branches.

Of its 4,160 staff members, 42 per cent have completed more than 10 years service and more than a quarter have worked for the company for 25 years or more.