Pepsi is one of the fizzy drinks Britvic produces in the UK

Britvic also said full-year earnings would be slightly below expectations.

The group, which sells Pepsi, Tango and Robinsons as well as its own brands, has been hit by a consumer move away from fizzy and sugary drinks.

It said it had been a "difficult" six months in the carbonated drinks market since Christmas, with its revenue from brand-name drinks down 5.3%.

Shares later recovered slightly to stand at 192.50p.

The firm is looking stronger in the still drinks sector, where sales are up on last year's level.