Zetar said the range had resulted in more than a 10 per cent sales increase worth £131 million.

The company said: "The introduction of a number of economy dried fruit and nuts lines proved incremental to our existing premium ranges and, together with the launch of our first licensed branded products such as Reggae Reggae nuts and Sun Pat peanut clusters, contributed to an overall 11 per cent increase in divisional sales."

Products like the no added sugar Fruit Factory brand proved particularly popular with parents while the flavoured nuts range was a hit with adults.

Stable raw material costs were also cited as contributing factors to the profit boost.