Northern Foods has revealed a 3.4% increase in underlying sales for the first half of 2005.

In a trading statement for the 26 weeks to end October 1, Northern Foods said that performances across its ambient and frozen business was robust and its chilled division was beginning to show progress.

Northern Foods CEO, Pat O’Driscoll, said: “I am encouraged by the good progress we are making to restructure and refocus the business towards our goals.