Marston’s Beer Company has posted a strong performance in both the on and off-trade for the 43 weeks to August 31, as sales of premium ale rose 31% and ale volumes climbed by 13%.

The brewery said its strategy of marketing a wide range of high-quality beer brands with strong local provenance, together with national marketing investment in its Pedigree brand, was proving a success.

Off-trade bottle volumes of Pedigree have more than doubled since its half-year results were unveiled on April 4, boosted by its ongoing sponsorship deal as ‘The Official Beer of England Cricket’.

Its market share in both premium cask ale and bottled ale increased by 1% over the period, the brewery estimated.