FOOTWEAR and clothing firm Hoggs of Fife believes it is growing sales and profits because customers from the farming community trust its products.

The business, which counts Prince Charles among its clients, reported a 24% rise in pre-tax profits from £405,330 to £503,716 in the 12 months to May 31.

Turnover at the family-owned company, which has its headquarters in Cupar, Fife, and a retail outlet under the Fife Country brand in Strathmiglo, edged up 1% from £6.27 million to £6.34m.

Managing director Robert Gibson, great-grandson of company founder Andrew Hogg, said the focus was on giving value for money and making clothing and footwear to last.

He said: "Our products are designed to be hard-wearing and for professional use.

"A lot of our customers are farmers and people who work in the country. Our products offer them good value for money, stand the test of time and stand up to what they are doing so then those people come back to you time and again"

Mr Gibson said the Fife Country website had been revamped and now offered online ordering.

However, wholesale orders from independent suppliers to the farming industry made up the bulk of turnover.

Export sales to Ireland increased during the year from £132,308 to £194,389 and are still "growing".

Mr Gibson said the company's tweed range and some of its footwear were among the products still made in the UK but it was necessary to use manufacturers from around the world.

He said: "Some manufacturing is done here but there is quite a bit from overseas as it is impossible to source everything in the UK.

"We do make sure we keep developing new products. Technology comes through and fabrics can become more waterproof and more breathable. Customers' expectations increase so you have to build that technology into the products to make sure you keep up to date with what customers need."

The balance sheet remained strong, with net cash increasing 50% from £675,192 to more than £1m. A dividend of £53,250 was paid, against £44,730 the previous year.

Employee numbers were steady at 43, while staff costs crept up from £1.05m to £1.12m.

Directors' remuneration increased from £293,893 to £322,943 with the highest paid receiving a rise from £118,643 to £134,352.

The business was founded in 1888 with a mail order catalogue selling boots. Its products are now available in more than 40 retailers across Scotland, Wales, England, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.