The rapidly expanding company plans to have 200 pubs and bars by 2000, and will open another 25 outlets this year, in addition to the 28 opened last year.

Bolton-based Yates currently has 72 pubs and chairman Gerry Macleod, who is retiring this year, said: "Our brand franchise now stretches from the south of England to Wales and Scotland."

Newcastle and Liverpool are among the cities in which Yates Wine Lodges are due to open this year.

Directors put the rapid growth partly down to its policy of keeping prices on two of its most popular pints the same from region to region.

A pint of Boddingtons or Carling Black Label costs the same in central London as in Aberdeen.

The idea has been so successful that Yates now plans to sell some of its wine and soft drinks in the same way.

Growing success

In 1997/98, that helped Yates to achieve one of the best average weekly turnovers of any pub chain and the title "Pub Retail Brand of the Year" in March.

Each pub takes around �19,000 per week, which in 1997/98 translated into a pre-tax profit of �13.6m, up nearly a third on the 1996/97 figure of �10.5m.

That came on the back of sales in the year to March 29 worth �97.8m, up from �75.7m, and the company is hiking the total dividend up 20% to 3.45p.

Mr McLeod said the result was "particularly pleasing" as it was achieved "despite competitive market conditions".