SUMMER sunshine kept bosses behind Scotland's other national drink smiling.

The makers of Irn-Bru revealed that profits soared by 6% to £19.1million during the last 12 months, and sales topped more than £140m as the UK sweltered in last year's blistering temperatures.

Speaking to the Stock Exchange as the firm revealed its end of year results, Barr's chairman Robin Barr announced that hot weather had helped the business cope with the purchase of the Strathmore water brand and the cost of moving to Cumbernauld.

He said: "Our total sales grew 10.2% from £128.8m to £141.9m, including £9.3m of revenue from the eight months of sales following the acquisition of the Strathmore business in June 2006.

"Underlying sales increased during the year reflecting the continuing strong performance of our core brands and the positive impact of the summer weather.

"This was a very satisfactory performance during a year in which the excellent summer weather masked to a degree the ongoing challenge of the structural changes taking place within the soft drinks market in the UK."

Profit on ordinary activities before tax increased from £17.9m to £19.1m.

The firm, which last week received criticism from the Advertising Standards Authority for its recent marketing campaign, revealed that it had achieved some success with another controversial product, its Red Bull rival, Irn-Bru 32.

Launched in spring of last year, the drink, promoted by an aggressive blue cuckoo, was also criticised by Strathclyde Police, who claimed the advertising glamourised violence and portrayed Glasgow as being full of gangsters. It was later toned down.

The first full scale Irn-Bru launch for 26 years, it has now sold more than seven million cans.

The business also had to absorb costs of more than £5m with its move to Cumbernauld and the introduction of a new high-speed can line, and the closure of its factory in Atherton near Manchester.