Harry Potter has helped Hornby to bumper profits in the past year.

The Kent group, which makes Hornby model railways and Scalextric car racing models, said pre-tax profits for the year to March 31 rose 62 per cent to £3.7m, while turnover leapt 16 per cent to £28.5m.

Chief executive Frank Martin said: "There is a genuine resurgence in interest in our hobby ranges amongst adult collectors and enthusiasts."

He continued: "The demographic pattern of the post-war 'baby boomers' entering their forties and fifties with more time and disposable income than ever before gives real confidence that the current favourable market conditions will be sustainable for the forseeable future."

The group said one particular success was a Harry Potter Hogwarts Express train set. Mr Martin said the group sold about 10,000 sets during the year.

The firm plans to produce another set based on the second film, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Mr Martin is expecting these to be in the shops this autumn.

Hornby sold about 70,000 train sets over the year, at an average of £100, as well as an additional 100,000 individual trains. Mr Martin said adult hobby collectors bought about 75 per cent of the Hornby train sets, while in the Scalextric range the proportions were the other way round - most of them sold to children.

The group launched an improved Scalextric track in April, which was the first time the track had been overhauled in 40 years since its launch.

Shareholders will receive a dividend of 17p, up 42 per cent on the previous year.