STOREY Carpets has defied the dismal retail trend to post record results.

The Sunderland-based carpet retailer has seen sales rise 17.8 per cent.

At a time when retailers are posting poor results, Storey has increased total sales to £36.6m for the year to March, compared with previous sales of £31m.

Storey Carpets has stores across the North-East, including Stockton, and one soon to open in Durham, as well as across the North-West and Yorkshire.

Gross profits are up by 18.4 per cent and once audited accounts are finalised, the company believes net profit will be up by half.

In the 12 months to March, Storey sold five million square metres of carpet, laminate, vinyl, rugs and wood - enough to cover the Milliennium Bridge over the Tyne more than 39,000 times.

The family business, founded in Sunderland 84 years ago, has now produced double-digit sales growth in four of the past five years and is continuing to expand, with plans to open another 13 outlets in the next year.

Storey chief executive Simon Heptinstall said: "The fact that interior design has become so fashionable has been a major factor, but what really matters is how well the company has adapted to these changing trends.

"The number of high-profile business failures in the home furnishings sector demonstrates just what can happen if you get it wrong.