ELECTRICAL appliances group Alba yesterday provided more evidence that consumers have become more cautious.

Alba saw uncertain market conditions, although a surge in demand for flat-screen televisions and MP3 players helped increase sales and contributed to a four per cent rise in half-year profits to £7.7m.

Trading in October was weaker than expected, although it said the situation improved last month.

Alba said: "Providing that this improvement continues on a year-on-year basis during December and into the New Year, the group should achieve a satisfactory result for the year as a whole."