EDRINGTON Group has slipped to an annual loss after taking a multi-million pound impairment charge on its Brugal rum brand.

The drinks company said its underlying pre-tax profits came in at £157.6m, down from £174m.

Turnover dropped 2.4 per cent from £633.1m to £617.7m in the 12 months to March 31 this year.

The near £239m exceptional charge on Brugal saw Edrington report a pre-tax loss of £52.7m.

Its Scotch whisky brands, including The Macallan, were all said to have performed well.