JUST Eat has reported a sharp jump in half-year profits after the online food service added 2,500 UK takeaway outlets to its network.

The firm, which connects 6.9 million users to 40,000 takeaways in 13 countries, saw underlying earnings jump from £2.3 million to £15.9m in the six months to June 30 as it expanded in its home market. In the UK, Just Eat boosted sales by 69 per cent to £51.9m while orders across the group lifted 50 per cent to 27.5 million compared with a year ago, amounting to £460 million worth of business for its clients.