Sales of specialist spirits helped Southwold brewer Adnams post a £4.1m operating profit, and increase its final dividend by 5.9pc.

The EDP Top100 firm published sales of £65.7m for the year ending December 31 2015, down 0.5pc on last year.

Operating profit was up 7.3pc from £3.8m, and the final dividend was £1.33, up from £1.36 in 2014.

Chairman Jonathan Adnams said: 'I am pleased to report the company made good progress in 2015, the economic mood was reasonably buoyant and a cut in duty rate for the third year running was a welcome announcement in the budget.

'Ghost Ship has remained in strong growth, as have our newer range of kegged, canned and bottled beers which fit well into the vibrant and growing UK craft beer market.

'Our investment into the brewery and distillery continues, and this development will ensure we have the flexibility and capacity to meet the demands of the changing beer market.

'Our spirits have become an integral part of our business, and we're delighted to have trebled our capacity with the addition of two new stills.'