FANS buying England kits in the run-up to the Euro 2004 football tournament helped sportswear company Umbro to a 51 per cent rise in profits.

Maiden results from the company, which floated on the stock market in June, showed that turnover in the six months to July 4 rose 36.4 per cent to £94.1m as pre-tax profits reached £10.4m for the half-year period.

Sales were buoyed by the popularity of the licensed kit of Umbro's sponsored teams, which also include Chelsea and Olympique Lyonnais of France.

Demand for the England away kit was particularly strong in the run-up to Euro 2004 as Umbro reported a 48 per cent rise in sales of licensed clothing. Other Umbro-branded sportswear achieved a seven per cent rise, with growth over the rest of the year expected to be supported by the launch of Umbro's Evolution X range.

Sales of footwear and equipment were said to have been disappointing, with the Cheshire-based company affected by heavy discounting by competitors.

The group said that its aim of expanding internationally had been boosted by a distribution deal with US-based Foot Locker.

The tie-up, which was confirmed yesterday, formalises an earlier trading relationship with a retailer that has 3,900 athletic retail stores in 17 countries, including 3,400 outlets in North America