Household cleaning products firm McBride has reported a rise in revenues despite weaker trading in the second half of the year.

In a trading update issues on the London Stock Exchange, the company – which has a factory on Park Road in Barrow – said underlying full year revenues for the year ending June 30, were 2.7 per cent higher than the previous year.

However, second half year trading, particularly in the final quarter, were “marginally weaker than expected”, and 1.7 per cent lower than the first half.

Weak sales in the UK and France specifically, were identified as significant contributors to the drop, it added.

McBride will announce its preliminary results for the year on September 5.

The company also confirmed that its chief executive Rik De Vos will step down from the board on July 19 before leaving the company on August 9.

Chief finance officer, Chris Smith, will act as interim chief executive from July 22 while the search gets underway to find a successor for Mr De Vos, who announced his intention to leave the company in May.

Mr Smith will revert back to his position once a new chief executive is installed, with current group financial controller, David Rattigan, currently group financial controller, assuming the role of interim director of finance in the meantime.