Shares in Irn-Bru maker AG Barr bubbled up 7% yesterday as the group reported a resilient performance in the third quarter.

Shares in Irn-Bru maker AG Barr bubbled up 7% yesterday as the group reported a resilient performance in the third quarter.

Like-for-like sales were up 7% on the third quarter of 2007, with total revenues up 15.5% with the £60m acquisition of exotic juice maker Rubicon.

Total revenue for the financial year to October increased by 8.9% with like-for-like sales up by 6.2%.

"This strong revenue growth reflects the combination of continued investment in brand development and further improvements in our sales execution," the company said.

"Operating margins continue to be in line with expectations, despite input costs remaining volatile in the period.

"Our balance sheet remains strong with the improvement in net assets following the acquisition of the Rubicon business the company has continued to generate strong operational cashflows."

This together with careful management of both cash and working capital had reduced debt below expectations.

In September, Barr reported a 5.8% rise in revenue, and a £1m rise in pre-tax profit to £11.1m. But continuing wet weather in August and September and worries over its exposure to high energy prices saw the shares sink to a two-year low around 1000p.

Barr said yesterday: "Trading remains in line with our expectations.

"The current macro- economic climate may have an impact on consumer behaviour during the key festive trading period.

"However, we believe our core business is solid and we have a strong Christmas executional campaign planned."

The shares of the Cumbernauld-based com- pany - which has been run by the Barr family in Scotland since 1875 - rallied 75p to 1160p.