GREENOCK’S McGill’s Buses defied tough trading conditions to hike profits by 12.5 per cent to £3.6 million last year.

The company, owned by former Rangers directors James and Sandy Easdale, boosted profits on the back of a £3m increase in turnover to £38.3m.

Directors said the results had been achieved against a backdrop of poor weather and congestion on the road network.

Managing director Ralph Roberts said: “Despite a significant increase in the cost of operations, we were able to record healthy results which reflects well on the development of the company.”