Greencore has turned in a ‘solid’ trading statement despite difficult market conditions in the UK.

The convenience foods specialist, which operates owner of the world's biggest sandwich making plant at Manton Wood in Nottinghamshire, said underlying sales at its main division rose 7.2 per cent in the four months to July 31, up from six per cent in the first half of its financial year.

Price rises to combat higher costs accounted for 4.2 per cent of the increase, alongside a three per cent rise in volumes.

The group supplies Tesco and Asda as well as other retailers, garages and airlines. It also makes ready meals for WeightWatchers and Heinz. It has a 10 year deal licence to develop a chilled range of food under the WeightWatchers brand in the US.

As well as the Manton Wood site, which employs around 2,000 people and makes four million sandwiches a week, the Dublin-based group operates sandwich making plants at Park Royal and Bow in London and Crosby in Liverpool.

Although underlying sales in convenience "remained solid" in the four months to July", Greencore warned: "Consumer sentiment in the UK has deteriorated markedly since June and poor weather has also impacted demand."