The cosmetics retailer Body Shop has continued its climb back into profit - despite tough trading conditions in the UK.

Cost savings and a strong performance in the Americas offset weakness in the UK, it said.

The firm, which sells ethical beauty products from more than 1,900 owned and franchised shops, made a pre-tax profit of �9.1m in the six months to 30 August.

That compares with a loss of �0.7m in the same period of 2002.

Management shake-up

After being one of the icons of the 1980s High Street, Body Shop was forced into drastic action after rivals developed similar products and stole market share.

The company, with headquarters in Littlehampton, West Sussesx, issued three profit warnings in the space of 18 months before its management was shaken up last year.

The changes saw the company's founder, Anita Roddick, step down from her position as co-chairman.

Commenting on Wednesday's results, chief executive Peter Saunders said: "The critical Christmas trading season is ahead of us.

We are well prepared but there remain pockets of weakness in many economies and in some of our operations.

We expect a satisfactory performance for the full year."