SWINDON-BASED retail giant WH Smith has announced an increase in profits over the last six months, despite a drop in high street sales.

In a statement released yesterday, overall profits in the first six months of the company’s financial year rose from £80m to £83m, thanks mainly to a rise in sales in its travel sector.

Profits from outlets in airports, railway stations, motorway service stations and workplaces saw a rise of 11 per cent to £39m as passenger numbers rose.

But like-for-like sales at its high street stores dipped three per cent, while high street trading profit remained flat at £53m.

The company, whose head office is in Greenbridge Road, said spoof humour books were a key driver in its books department, helping counteract a reduction in sales of adult colouring books, which peaked last year.

Chief executive Stephen Clarke said: “In high street, profit was in line with expectations, matching a very strong performance from last year.

“Stationery performed particularly well over the Christmas period driven by strong sales from our new seasonal product ranges and books benefited from good sales of spoof humour titles.

Books such as the Enid Blyton parody Five On Brexit Island and The Ladybird Book Of The Hipster had been among the most popular spoof titles.

Stephen said: “While there is some uncertainty in the broader economic environment, we will continue to focus on profitable growth, cash generation and investing in the business which positions us well in the current year and into the future.

“These results are only possible through the hard work of our 14,000 colleagues in all parts of our business and I am very grateful for their continued support.”

There was also success in WH Smith’s stationery department, where like-for-like sales rose two per cent following the decision to move stationery towards the front of stores.

WH Smith celebrates a big milestone this year, and, to celebrate, the company will be engaged in various charitable activities throughout 2017.

Stephen said: “Looking ahead, 2017 is a significant year for us as we celebrate 225 years since the business was founded.

“And, while there is some uncertainty in the broader economic environment, we will continue to focus on profitable growth, cash generation and investing in the business which positions us well in the current year and into the future.”

The company has vowed to open 15 new travel units in the UK this year and now has 255 across 25 countries.

The retailer said the flat performance of its high street stores was in line with expectations given the strong performance of last year’s adult colouring books.