THE digital revolution yesterday helped retailer Jessops maintain its record of sales and profits growth in every year since 1996.

The photographic specialist, which has 268 stores in the UK, said digital cameras accounted for 75 per cent of sales of £319m in the year to September 30.

It followed growing awareness of digital technology as prices fell and consumers strove to keep up with the pace of change by replacing their cameras more frequently.

Jessops said shoppers were also buying related products, such as accessories and digital printing, which allow images to be downloaded and sent for processing.

At the same time, the group has ordered 60 instant kiosks, where consumers can print pictures within seconds and expanded its range of camera phones from three to 13 handsets.

The surge in demand for digital cameras drove a 14 per cent rise in underlying earnings during the year to £19.5m and sales growth of 6.1 per cent.

Trading in October and last month maintained the momentum, with same-store sales ahead by six per cent on a year ago. But costs also rose, due to an expansion programme that has seen Jessops open 20 stores since September last year, including six since the end of its financial year.

Yesterday's results were the first since Jessops floated on the stock market last month with a value of £160m.

Jessops said it had plans to open 20 outlets a year.