CUSTOM VIS ON THE UP

It expects its annual revenues to be “slightly higher” than the expected £1.7 million.

Packaging firm British Polythene Industries, which makes bags and film, wrapped up 18¾p higher at 161p after revealing its first-half profit would be “comfortably ahead” of estimates.

Its performance had been boosted, the company said, by the strongest demand in years for garden compost packaging.

Sub-sea oil and gas services outfit Hallin Marine dived 35p to 115p on a first-half trading update which revealed a year-on-year fall in margins.

Intercytex Group, which develops therapies to re-grow hair and skin, had its shares shaved 6½p to 5p after takeover talks failed. It said it had received no bids to buy the group as a whole but discussions on selling part of the business were continuing. It is considering further job cuts.