PUBLIC relations and marketing firm Beattie Communications Group has recorded a near 43% rise in annual profit.

The company, set up by former journalist Gordon Beattie and with its registered office in Falkirk, booked an almost 11% growth in turnover from £6.3 million to almost £7m.

That helped pre-tax profits increase from £382,556 to £545,857 in the 12 months to July 31, 2013.

In the annual accounts, which have just been filed at Companies House, the company said the financial performance was the most impressive in its 28-year history.

Laurna Woods, group managing director, said: "Each of our profit centres performed strongly with PR, social networking and digital marketing delivering record performances.

"Indeed our results would have been even more impressive had an aggressive recruitment drive not been hampered by a worrying shortage of available PR and marketing talent.

"Recruiting staff was more difficult than winning business in 2013."

A strong cash flow in the year saw Beattie, which has eight offices around the UK, move from a net debt of around £357,000 to a net funds position of more than £463,000.

Directors' remuneration increased slightly to £516,767 with the highest paid also getting a rise of around £6000 to £186,129.

An equity dividend of £110,000 was paid.