The wine warehouse chain Majestic Wine has seen half-year profits surge by nearly two-thirds to �2.6m.

The firm saw total sales jump by nearly 28% to �56.8m for the six months to September, and it said sales were up more than a 10th in the run-up to the crucial Christmas period.

Customers spent an average of �103 at its stores, with the average bottle of wine sold costing �5.32.

Majestic said sales of wine from all regions grew, with increased demand for Australian, South African, Chilean and French wines.

Last year, Majestic bought the French chain The Wine and Beer Company, and it said this business had now been fully absorbed within the group and rebranded Wine and Beer World.

The company now operates 103 stores and is looking to expand further.