Scottish & Newcastle's Finnish unit Hartwall posted an 11.9% rise in annual pre-tax profit with strong performances from its two principal operating businesses - Hartwall Finland and Baltic Beverages Holdings.

For the year ended December 31 pre-tax profit before extraordinary items jumped to 169m euros on sales up 18.6% to 958m euros.

Hartwall said that BBH - its joint venture with Carlsberg Breweries - captured 76% of beer volume growth in Russia and extended its market leadership there with market share up 4% to 33%.

In Finland net sales grew 7% and market leadership was retained with a 45% market share.