SALES at Pets At Home were boosted by price reductions and the success of its veterinary service last year, as the firm grapples with increased competition.

Pre-tax profits rose 5.8 per cent to £95.4 million in the year to March, off the back of 7.2 per cent growth in sales to £834m.

Revenues at the group's veterinary arm rocketed 25 per cent to £47m, with like-for-like sales rising 1.5 per cent across the group.

The firm also said that it has launched price reductions "across a number of everyday pet essentials and are also starting to reposition prices in branded foods".

George Salmon, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: "Pets At Home has a leading position in a reliable and growing market, and offers pretty much exactly what you would want when tasked with picking up some goodies for your pet; a clean and efficient service.

"Unfortunately, an even more convenient service can be found online, and this market is growing at an accelerating rate."