Swiss food giant Nestle says it is hoping to build on the success of 2018 after reporting a three per cent rise in organic sales.

The company, which has operations in Dalston near Carlisle, also saw its net profit jump 42 percent to £7.8 billion pounds, citing improved performance in the North American and Chinese markets.

Its total reported sales increased by 2.1 per cent to just over 70.5bn.

The company has proposed a dividend of £1.89 per share, having paid out more than £10.7bn through dividends and share buybacks in 2018.

Nestle chief executive Mark Schneider, said he was “pleased” with progress in 2018. 

“All financial performance metrics improved significantly, and we saw revived growth in our two largest markets, the United States and China, as well as in our infant nutrition business,” he said.

“Nestlé keeps investing in future growth and – at the same time – has increased the amount of cash returned to shareholders through our dividend and share buyback program.

“We are on our way to meeting our 2020 targets and positioning Nestlé for sustained and sustainable growth in the years beyond."

Mr Schneider also highlighted Nestle’s action and commitment to tackling package waste in response to both consumers and regulators.

More than 300 people work at Nestle’s Dalston factory, which has seen around £70 million worth of investment in developing new products and upgrading the filling and packing hall.

The factory takes an average of 350,000 litres of milk a day exclusively from local Cumbrian dairy.