WELL-known brands like Nurofen, Strepsils and Clearasil have spearheaded strong growth for high street pharmacist Boots.

The company has seen sales of health and beauty products push like-for-like sales up by 4.6 per cent in the first quarter.

The company has been restructuring to concentrate on core businesses Boots the Chemist and Healthcare International.

In a trading statement ahead of its annual meeting, chief executive John McGrath said Boots was trading well and fully meeting his expectations.

He said: "We continue to see the positive effects of the improvements and investment we are making in the business. Boots Healthcare International is showing consistent good performance."

Sales grew 4.7 per cent at the chemist operation, with dispensing sales from the pharmacy counter up eight per cent, and six per cent growth in cosmetics and perfumes.

Toiletries - boosted by Boots' Lower Prices You'll Love marketing campaign - also saw sales rise 5.2 per cent on a like-for-like basis. Sales of Boots' consumer brands were up 7.6 per cent in the period.

Last month the company made 500 job cuts at its Nottingham headquarters as it tried to find £100m of cost savings. Boots' restructuring has seen the company sell the Halfords car maintenance chain as well as closing Pure Beauty concept stores.