NORTHERN folks' fondness for fish and chips helped a Tyneside company see a rise in profits last year.

And the tough economy means they have been increasingly keen on choosing Britain’s favourite homegrown takeaway and boosted Gateshead- based chip shop supplier Henry Colbeck’s turnover by £1m to £40.5m last year.

Profits are up £39,000 to £411,195.

Marketing director Duncan McLean said the growth is likely to continue, but he fears this summer’s unseasonably persistent rain may help delivery pizza companies take a bite out of its profits.

“Things have changed over the last year,” he said. “Our turnover is marginally up, but our pre-tax profits will be slightly down in 2012.

“The industry that we supply is not recession proof, but it’s holding its own in what is a very competitive market place.

“Just look at the recent Greggs results – they suffered a fall in like-for-like sales and we would agree with them that the last financial year has been an incredibly tough one.

“Most of that has been weather- related. If you look at the rain we’ve had, as far as the weather’s concerned, people do not go out and buy takeaway food as much.

“The likes of pizza delivery giant Domino’s pray for rain because people are quite happy to sit in the comfort of their own homes and pick up the phone.

“Home delivery is not something fish and chip shops tend to do, but it’s a growing trend in certain parts of the country, particularly in the South.

“We are trading profitably, but that is testament to a wonderful team of staff who are working extremely hard and providing a top-class service to be proud of.”