Agriculture and engineering group Carr's said it is continuing to monitor Brexit as it released a trading update for the last 19 weeks.

Tim Davies, chief executive, said: "Brexit uncertainty remains a concern and we continue to closely monitor developments."

But the update added: "Our diversified agriculture business and international footprint provide some protection from the impact of an adverse outcome to Brexit negotiations."

The update said its results were in line with its expectations for the current financial year, despite challenging weather conditions having an impact on its agriculture division.

It said: "In UK agriculture, the unseasonably mild and dry weather persisted through to the end of April, which reduced demand for feed and fuel.

"However, the impact of this on the business has been partially offset by high levels of farm activity due to good growing conditions, together with ongoing cost management activities, good procurement, and strong positions on raw materials."

This month, it acquired Cumbria-based Paul Chuter Agricultural Services Ltd, a regional supplier of all-terrain vehicles.

It said: "It has increased the range of specialist machinery available to our core farming customers. The business has been integrated into our country store at Cockermouth, to maximise footfall and levels of customer service."

It added that its low moisture feed block plant in Shelbyville, Tennessee, continued to grow and the integration of Animax, a manufacturer of trace element supplements for livestock, acquired by the group in September, continued to make good progress.

It said the engineering business has continued to develop and its order books in the UK have strengthened.

Its order books in remote handling are lower, but, it added, global opportunities were increasing, which gave it confidence.

In the USA, its engineering division is strong and it has won a number of contracts. Work has begun on its passive cooling technology, which can be retrofitted to nuclear power plants to improve safety, following the award of funding from the US Department of Energy.

It also acquired NW Total Engineered Solutions Ltd.

Mr Davies said: "As we continue to invest in our businesses, both organically and through strategic acquisitions, and expand our international footprint, we remain confident the group is well positioned for sustained growth.”