Cadbury Schweppes reveals profit rise

Cadbury Schweppes has revealed a 10% rise in first-half profits following a string of acquisitions.

Pre-tax profits - before one-off costs - rose to £386m (€600m), from £351m (€545m).

Sales rose by 7%. Acquisitions included Dandy chewing gum, Squirt and Nantucket Nectars.

The board has declared an interim dividend of 3.5p per share, up from 3.35p in 2001.