A South Lakeland papermaker has made an encouraging start to the year.

James Cropper plc is in a good position to develop and exploit future opportunities, company chairman James Cropper told the company's annual meeting in Burneside.

The firm's speciality papers division has seen sales growth in both domestic and export markets, while the Paper Mill Shop retail business is continuing to make good progress.

Cropper opened its 14th store, in Ashford, Kent, last month, and more stores will follow later this year.

Plans are afoot to relocate the warehousing and distribution activities to a larger facility in the autumn, to help manage the expansion of the retail operation.

Mr Cropper told the meeting: "Early indications suggest that our plans to grow sales in Speciality Papers are being achieved and the Paper Mill Shop will continue its impressive performance and expansion. The Paper Mill Shop extends our strategy of related business diversification."