Coretx Holdings Regulatory News (COR)

20 Sep 2005 07:01

Chorion PLC20 September 2005 September 20, 2005 Chorion PLC Results for the six months ended 30 June 2005 Highlights: • Operating profits (before exceptional costs) of £1.7m against £1.3m for 2004 • Pre-tax profits (before exceptional costs) level with 2004 at £1.1m • Over 100% growth in merchandising revenues, reflecting a full contribution from Mr Men and growth in Noddy merchandise • Adjusted EPS up 1.0p to 5.2p • Progress well underway for the launch of Mr Men and The Famous Five TV series for late 2006 and 2007 respectively • Eight new Agatha Christie films in production • Acquisition of Silver Lining Productions Ltd completed since half-year end Nicholas James, Chief Executive of Chorion, said: 'We are pleased with these results. Noddy will continue to be a core element inour growth, but we are increasingly confident in the role that other investmentswe have made in the last couple of years will play in our future. We expect MrMen to hit your screens late in 2006 with a new series of The Famous Fivefollowing a year later. We are doubling our output of crime programming basedaround Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot and now have the Raymond Chandlerfranchise to work on. We are delighted by July's acquisition of Silver LiningProductions and what it will bring to our Children's Division. All in all, we remain confident that we will continue to deliver value for ourshareholders.' Ends Enquiries: Chorion Nick James, Chief Executive 020 7061 3800 Portland Tim Allan 020 7404 5344 Chorion PLC Results for the six months ended 30 June 2005 Chief Executive's Review Chorion has made good progress in the first six months of 2005. Noddy hascontinued to perform well, we have taken direct control of the licensingprogramme for Mr Men and we have greatly strengthened our Children's Divisionwith the acquisition of Silver Lining Productions and the licensing andmerchandising rights that come with that acquisition. We have added to ourLiterary Estates business with the acquisition of the rights to Raymond Chandlerand our Television and Film business has been boosted by the decision of ITV todouble its order for Christie TV films in 2005, giving Chorion one of thelargest drama production slates amongst UK independent TV producers. Financial Highlights Six months to 30 Six months to Year to June 2005 30 June 2004 December 2004 £m £m £mTurnover 7.4 7.6 23.9Gross Profit 6.2 4.4 12.7Operating Profit * 1.7 1.3 4.8Profit before Tax * 1.1 1.1 4.1Adjusted profit before tax * 1.8 1.5 5.2(before amortisation of intangibles)(Loss)/Profit before tax (0.4) 1.1 4.1Basic earnings per share (1.9)p 1.8p 7.1pAdjusted earnings per share * 5.2p 4.2p 12.4p(before amortisation of intangibles) * excluding exceptionals In the six months ended 30 June 2005, turnover at £7.4 million was slightlylower than the comparative period (2004: £7.6 million), while profits before taxand exceptional costs were in line with the previous year at £1.1 million. This comparison with the first six months of 2004 reflects the benefit of the MrMen acquisition for the full period this year, while last year's interimturnover and profits included a contribution from the delivery of the TV film "Death on the Nile". In contrast, no new films were delivered in the first halfof 2005 - six of the eight films now in production will be delivered in thesecond half of this year. The company's performance has always been weighted towards the second half ofthe year and with the prospects for Noddy and Mr. Men in Christmas 2005 and thesix TV films which will be completed and delivered, we approach the second halfof the year with good visibility of earnings. Adjusted profits before amortisation, exceptional costs and tax, for the sixmonths, rose to £1.8 million (2004: £1.5 million). Underlying basic earnings pershare rose to 5.2p from 4.2p the previous year. Children's Brands We have set ourselves five key objectives to be achieved in 2005. Our progressto date is as follows: 1. To secure co-production partners for the new Mr Men television seriesand to put the series into physical production for 2006/07 launch During the first half we have completed the first phase of our internationalbrand research into the Mr Men brand. In particular the research hashighlighted the affection for the Mr Men brand in the USA despite there havingbeing no recent TV presence there. We have completed the shortlist of productionstudios for the new TV series and have had productive discussions withbroadcasters in the major territories of the USA, UK and France. 2. To raise the global retail value of Noddy from £45 million to £65 million Noddy continues to grow in value in the core territories of the UK and France.France, in particular, is performing extremely well. For the first time, it isnow possible that revenues from France will equal those from the UK by theyear-end - a significant achievement. Combined growth in the UK and France willthus exceed our expectations this year. In the rest of Europe, Portugal continues to be a run away success and a Noddylive show will be launched there later this year. It will be the firstpre-school property ever to have a live show in the country. Our plans to rollNoddy out in other countries in Europe have progressed more slowly, dueprimarily to a delay in the commencement of broadcasting of the TV series by ourbroadcaster customers. Broadcast has now commenced in Scandinavia and Beneluxand the TV ratings are very good. The initial test broadcast period in Italy hasnow been completed and achieved a very strong 47% share. Outside of Europe, March/April saw launches of the Noddy TV series in Japan andAustralia and July saw the launch in the USA. Overall we are pleased with the progress Noddy has made in the first half and weremain confident of meeting our target for the global retail value of Noddy bythe end of 2005. 3. To successfully launch Noddy in the United States Make Way for Noddy launched on TV in the United States on 2nd July 2005. By midSeptember 62% of PBS stations were broadcasting the programme, includingstations in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Philadephia - the top fourtelevision markets in the USA. It is too early to obtain ratings for the showbut the newspaper reviews that have appeared have all been extremely positive.The Noddy programme in America is being coordinated by FUNimation whom weappointed as the master licensee and video distributor. FUNimation remainsconfident that Noddy will achieve the good ratings necessary by the firstquarter of 2006 to enable discussions to commence with the US licensingindustry. 4. To put a new Children's TV series into production for 2006/07 launch During the first half we announced that we had put Famous Five into developmentas a co-production with Marathon, the leading animation company based in France.Early development is progressing well and we have strong preliminary interestfrom broadcasters in the core territories of the UK, France and Germany. 5. To identify additional children's properties for launch in 2007/08 It is our intention to identify the 2008 property by the end of 2005. Ouracquisition in the first half of Silver Lining Productions Ltd and the rightsthey hold, together with the other children's rights in the Chorion stable, giveus an excellent range to choose from. Other Children's Division News In the UK we have now achieved the full range of key licensing products forNoddy with the signing of a major wood play set deal with Wembley Playcraft thatwill help the further growth of Noddy in 2006 and beyond. Additionally, we have successfully licensed Egmont to produce a new Noddymagazine in the UK which we expect to perform significantly better than ourpreviously licensed magazine. We have also completed the 100 two minute TVprogrammes, "Say It With Noddy", that introduces children to different languagesin a fun and engaging way. As a result, we have concluded a deal withbroadcaster five that will ensure that Noddy stays on air in the UK until 2012 .This is a significant vote of confidence in Noddy and great news for thevisibility of the brand for the next 6 years. Mr. Men continues to perform to expectations. In the first half we concludedthe early termination of the agency agreement with Copyright Promotions Groupfor a payment of £1.5m. This appears as an exceptional item in our accounts.Following this termination we were able to take full control of Mr. Menlicensing. We currently have more than 80 licensees in the UK and the propertycontinues to perform well, which gives us confidence about growth prospects whenthe merchandising is supported by a new TV series. Finally, the acquisition of Silver Lining Productions Ltd is a very excitingdevelopment for Chorion. It brings into Chorion's stable the licensing andtelevision rights to a number of significant contemporary classic literaryproperties with potential for considerable growth in the future. Literary Estates We have set ourselves two key objectives to be achieved in 2005. Our progressto date is as follows: 1. To acquire more literary estates with growth potential We have completed the purchase of the Raymond Chandler literary rights, givingChorion control of the legendary detective character, Philip Marlowe. Althoughthis is a small publishing estate, the TV and film prospects for this brandoffer good growth potential over the coming years. In the second half ourobjective is to make a further literary estate acquisition and we have alreadyidentified a number of opportunities. 2. To establish an in-house partwork resource to launch or develop aminimum of one new partwork each year We have recruited a partwork specialist and undertaken a review of the partworkopportunities that the company has in its portfolio of brands. Some of theseopportunities are to publish partworks directly and some are opportunities tolicense partwork formats to other companies. Prior to carrying out this recruitment and opportunity review, we had planned topublish a new Poirot DVD partwork in the UK in 2005. During the review, itbecame clear that it would not be possible to undertake a full launch of thisDVD partwork project this year due to the need for a longer planning and markettesting programme than had been initially anticipated. Our plans now are to havea two-stage launch of the Poirot DVD partwork - in Scotland in September 2005,covering approximately 10% of the market for this product, and in the remainderof the UK in February 2006. As a result, we have reduced our second halfrevenue expectations from this project for 2005. Other Literary Estates News Publishing activities are on target this year. We expected publishing revenuesfor 2005 to be lower than 2004 as the one-off effect of the very successfulSimenon centenary year in Europe - where book sales doubled in some countries -and income from the last editions of the Agatha Christie book partwork thatended in 2004 would both not repeat this year. The first half results reflectthis position and are in line with management expectations. We have successfully licensed a new West End production of an Agatha Christieplay. "And Then There Were None", Christie's most popular novel, has beenadapted for the stage by the critically-acclaimed writer Kevin Elyot whose twopilot scripts for Poirot and Marple in 2003 and 2004 have helped usre-invigorate the TV franchise. The producer is ACT Productions and theproduction stars Tara Fitzgerald, Graham Crowden, Richard Johnson and GemmaJones. The play will open in the West End in October and already has interestfrom Broadway. Television and Film We have set ourselves two key objectives to be achieved in 2005. Our progressto date is as follows: 1. To increase, above four, the number of television films commissioned in 2005 ITV has doubled its order in 2005 for Agatha Christie TV films. We are thereforeproducing four new Poirot TV films and four new Miss Marple TV films. Thisincrease from four to eight reflects the significant rating and critical successthat has been achieved with both the recent Poirot and the new Marple TV films. The success of the new Miss Marple films has also been reflected with anomination for a Primetime Emmy in the USA. The production of eight TV films is a significant undertaking and makes Chorionone of the UK's larger independent TV drama production companies. We will bedelivering six of these eight films in the second half of 2005 with theremaining two being delivered in early 2006. Our accounting policy is torecognise the revenues from these TV films upon delivery. 2. To develop new television films outside the Poirot and Marple franchise for 2006/07 The acquisition of the Raymond Chandler estate has brought the detectivePhilip Marlowe into the Chorion stable alongside Maigret, Campion and Fen. Weare in active discussion in both the United States and the UK on theopportunities in this portfolio. Conclusion Our focus remains on continuing to build the value of all of our brands andcontent and to deliver further value to shareholders. In our Children'sDivision, our focus will be on the generation of further growth from Noddy andon moving forward the development and production plans for Mr Men and the FamousFive for delivery in late 2006 and 2007 respectively. In Literary Estates wewill continue to expand the publishing programmes and to build on the workalready started in the area of partworks. In TV and Film we will ensure thedelivery of six more Christie TV films of high quality Staff Finally I would like to thank all of our staff for their hard work andenthusiasm. It is through their imagination and dedication that we continue toinnovate with our brands, finding new avenues to exploit them in the interestsof our shareholders. Nicholas James 20th September 2005 Unaudited Consolidated Profit and Loss Accountfor the six months ended 30 June 2005 Six months to Six months to Year to 30th June 2005 30 June 2004 31 Dec 2004 Excluding Exceptional Total Total Total exceptional item item Notes £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 as restated as restated (note3) (note 1) (note 1) Turnover: Existing operations 7,406 - 7,406 7,299 22,426 Acquisitions - - - 316 1,436Total turnover 2 7,406 - 7,406 7,615 23,862 Cost of sales (1,173) - (1,173) (3,216) (11,205) Gross profit 6,233 - 6,233 4,399 12,657 Administrative expenses before amortisation of intangible assets (3,799) (1,504) (5,303) (2,668) (6,708) Amortisation of intangible assets (728) - (728) (446) (1,156)Administrative expenses (4,527) (1,504) (6,031) (3,114) (7,864)Group operating profit Existing operations 1,706 (1,504) 202 1,084 4,494 Acquisitions - - - 201 299 Group operating profit 1,706 (1,504) 202 1,285 4,793Income from other fixed asset investments - - - - 131Interest receivable and similar income 34 - 34 49 72Interest payable and similar charges 4 (645) - (645) (266) (911)(Loss) / profit on ordinary activities before taxation 1,095 (1,504) (409) 1,068 4,085Tax credit/(charge) on(loss)/profit on ordinary activities 5 (104) 451 347 (438) (1,548)(Loss) / profit on ordinary activities after taxation 991 (1,053) (62) 630 2,537Equity minority interests (422) - (422) (330) (992)Retained profit/(loss) for the financial year 569 (1,053) (484) 300 1,545Earnings per share 6 Basic (1.9p) 1.8p 7.1p Diluted (1.9p) 1.8p 7.1p Underlying basic 5.2p 4.2p 12.4p There were no exceptional items in the six months to 30 June 2004 or the year to 31 December 2004. Underlying basic earnings per share is calculated on profit on ordinary activities after taxation before deducting amortisation of intangible assets and the exceptional item net of its associated tax effect (note 5). A statement of movement on reserves is given innote 10. There are no differences between the results shown in the consolidated profit and loss account and those on an historical cost basis. All activities of theGroup are continuing. Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheetat 30 June 2005 30 June 30 June 31 Dec 2005 2004 2004 Notes £'000 £'000 £'000 as restated as restated (note 1) (note 1) Fixed assetsIntangible fixed assets 7 58,951 59,609 58,914Tangible fixed assets 1,251 1,131 1,219Film & TV and other related investments 8 20,796 18,894 20,910 80,998 79,634 81,043 Current assetsDebtors due within one year 12,947 8,198 16,217Cash at bank and in hand 1,623 2,375 2,367 14,570 10,573 18,584Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (6,483) (7,630) (13,766) Net current assets 8,087 2,943 4,818 Total assets less current liabilities 89,085 82,577 85,861Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year (21,816) (17,705) (18,086)Provisions for liabilities and charges (1,138) - (1,312) Total net assets 66,131 64,872 66,463 Capital and reserves:Called up ordinary share capital 7,647 7,614 7,622Share premium account 13,398 13,225 13,269Merger reserve 31,795 31,795 31,795Profit and loss account 4,252 4,354 5,310Equity shareholders' funds 9 57,092 56,988 57,996Equity minority interests 9,039 7,884 8,467 66,131 64,872 66,463 Unaudited Consolidated Cash Flow Statementfor the six months ended 30 June 2005 Six months to Six months to Year to 30 June 2005 30 June 2004 31 Dec 2004 Notes £'000 £'000 £'000 as restated as restated (note 1) (note 1) Net cash inflow from operating activities 10 6,064 9,385 13,301 Returns on investments and servicing offinance Dividends paid to minority shareholders (363) (288) (656) Bank charges and interest paid (711) (160) (575) Finance lease interest paid (3) (2) (5) Income from other fixed asset investments - - 131 Interest received 34 49 73 (1,043) (401) (1,032) Taxation 301 (421) (1,290) Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of tangible fixed assets (295) (257) (335) Purchase of intangible assets (611) (67) (95) Investment in Films & TV (526) (1,663) (10,317) Other Investments (61) - (120) (1,493) (1,987) (10,867) Acquisitions and disposals Acquisition of subsidiary undertakings (payments made in respect of a prior period acquisition (261) (23,881) (24,004) (261) (23,881) (24,004) Net cash inflow / (outflow) before financing 3,568 (17,305) (23,892) Financing (Loans repaid) / new bank loans (3,652) 1,642 8,877 Issue of ordinary shares (net of costs) 154 15,664 15,716 Purchase of shares by ESOP trust (814) - (708) (4,312) 17,306 23,885 (Decrease) / increase in cash in the period 11 (744) 1 (7) Notes to the Financial Statements for the six months ended 30 June 2005 1 Accounting Policies Basis of preparation These financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Companies Act 1985 and applicable United Kingdom accounting standards. The accounting policies adopted by Chorion PLC are consistent with those disclosed in the Report and Accounts of Chorion PLC for the year ended 31 December 2004, except as noted below. Changes in presentation (a) Presentation of preference shares Chorion PLC adopted the presentation provisions of FRS25 "Financial instruments:Disclosure and presentation" during the year, in accordance with which the 6% cumulative redeemable non-convertible preference shares have been presented wholly as debt due after more than one year. Prior to this they were included in equity. The impact of recognising the preference shares as debt on the balance sheet is to increase creditors falling due after more than one year by £4,500,000; ( 30 June: £4,500,000: 31 December 2004: £4,500,000) and to reduce non-equity share capital by the same amount for each period. The impact on the profit and loss account for the six months ended 30 June 2005 is to increase the interest charge by £135,000 (six months ended 30 June 2004: £25,000; year ended 31 December 2004: £161,000), and to decrease the dividends paid to non-equity shareholders by the same amount for each period. The change in presentation has had no impact on retained profit for the periods ended 30 June 2005, 30 June 2004 or 31 December 2004. (b) Presentation of fixed assets Following a review of accounting policies, the directors have concluded that it is more appropriate to present certain items previously capitalised as tangible fixed assets as other investments related to Film & TV investments. The effect of this decision on the balance sheet has been to increase the net book value of other investments related to Film & TV investments by £493,000 at 30 June 2005 (30 June 2004: £559,000; 31 December 2004: £536,000) and decrease the net book value of tangible fixed assets by the same amount for each period end. The effect on the profit and loss account has been to increase the amortisation of other investments related to Film & TV investments by £43,000 for the six months ended 30 June 2005 ( six months ended 30 June 2004: £23,000 ; year ended 31 December 2004: £47,000 ) and decrease the depreciation of tangible fixed assets by the same amount for each period. The change did not have any impact on the operating profit, retained profit or net assets for the periods ended 30 June 2005, 30 June 2004 or 31 December 2005. The profit and loss comparatives for the six months to 30 June 2004 have been re-stated by transferring amortisation of the Film & TV and other related investments from administrative expenses to cost of sales. This transfer reflects the accounting treatment adopted and disclosed in the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2004. The effect of this has been to increase the cost of sales for the six months ended 30 June 2004 by £2,877,000 and to decrease administrative expenses in the same period by the same period by £2,877,000. Basis of consolidation The consolidated financial statements incorporate the accounts of the Company and its subsidiary undertakings for the period to 30 June 2005. Results of subsidiary undertakings acquired during the year are included from the date of acquisition, and for subsidiary undertakings sold during the year to the date of disposal. 2 Segmental information (a) Turnover, profit before taxation and net assets by class of business The Group only has one class of business, which is the exploitation of intellectual property rights. The Group's turnover has been analysed by revenue stream as follows: Six months to Six months to Year to 30 June 2005 30 June 2004 31 Dec 2004 £'000 £'000 £'000 Publishing / Audio / Magazines / Partworks 2,195 2,701 5,721 Television / Video / Films 2,793 3,573 14,253 Merchandising 1,999 905 3,339 Other 419 436 549 7,406 7,615 23,862 (b) Turnover by geographical segment The Group's operations are based in the United Kingdom but royalty income is derived from worldwide sales. Turnover by destination is analysed as follows: Six months to Six months to Year to 30 June 2005 30 June 2004 31 Dec 2004 £'000 £'000 £'000 United Kingdom 3,858 3,979 14,757 Other European Community 2,848 2,347 5,877 Americas 274 763 2,095 Asia and Australia 373 474 1,064 Other 53 52 69 7,406 7,615 23,862 3 Profit on ordinary activities before taxation Profit on ordinary activities before taxation includes an exceptional item of £1,504,000, being a one-off payment in full and final settlement of all commissions due to Copyright Promotions Licensing Group Limited for the early termination of its management contract as licensing agent for the Mister Men properties. The tax effect of this exceptional item has been to decrease the tax charge by £451,000. 4 Interest payable and similar charges Six months to Six months to Year to 30 June 2005 30 June 2004 31 Dec 2004 £'000 £'000 £'000 as restated as restated (note 1) (note 1) Bank loans and overdrafts 507 239 745 Finance lease charges 3 2 5 Preference dividend (note 1) 135 25 161 Total interest payable and similar charges 645 266 911 5 Tax on profit on ordinary activities The forecast effective tax rate for the full year is 35.5% before adjustments in respect of prior periods and the exceptional item. The tax effect of the exceptional item and adjustments in respect of prior periods have been recognised in full for the six months ended 30 June 2005. The net tax credit of £347,000 recognised in the six months ended 30 June 2005 comprises of a £389,000 charge at 35.5% of the profit before tax excluding the exceptional item, a tax credit at 30% on the exceptional item of £451,000 and a credit of £285,000 arising from adjustments in respect of prior periods. The forecast effective tax rate for the full year after prior period adjustments and the exceptional item is 32% (year ended 31 December 2004: actual effective rate 36%) 6 Earnings per share Six months to Six months to Year to 30 June 2005 30 June 2004 31 Dec 2004 £'000 £'000 £'000 Earnings Basic and diluted earnings (484) 300 1,545 Add amortisation of intangible assets 728 446 1,156 Add exceptional item 1,504 - - Less tax effect of exceptional item (451) - - Underlying earnings before amortisation of intangible assets and exceptional item 1,297 746 2,701 Earnings per share Basic (1.9)p 1.8p 7.1 p Diluted (1.9)p 1.8p 7.1 p Underlying (before amortisation of intangible assets and exceptional item) 5.2p 4.2p 12.4 p The calculation of basic earnings per share is based on profit after tax and minority interests. The calculation of underlying earnings uses the basic earnings before amortisation of intangible assets and the exceptional item and is presented to show more clearly the underlying performance of the group. The weighted average number of ordinary shares used in the calculation of the basic, diluted and underlying earnings per share is as follows: Six months to Six months to Year to 30 June 2005 30 June 2004 31 Dec 2004 £'000 £'000 £'000 Weighted average number of shares in issue during the period used in the 25,020,488 18,553,053 21,845,545 calculation of basic and adjusted earnings per share Dilutive effect of options treated as excercisable at the period end 114,343 - 45,668 25,134,831 18,553,053 21,891,213 7 Intangible fixed assets Goodwill Copyrights Trademarks Total £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Group Cost: At 1 January 2005 713 61,506 1,094 63,313 Additions - 716 49 765 At 30 June 2005 713 62,222 1,143 64,078 Amortisation: At 1 January 2005 336 3,655 408 4,399 Charged in period 48 625 55 728 At 30 June 2005 384 4,280 463 5,127 Net book value: At 30 June 2005 329 57,942 680 58,951 At 31 December 2004 377 57,851 686 58,914 Additions during the period consist primarily of the acquisition of copyrights relating to the Raymond Chandler estate amounting to £704,000. 8 Film & TV and other related investments Film & TV Other Total £'000 £'000 £'000 as restated as restated (note 1) (note 1) Group Cost: At 1 January 2005 (as restated -note 1) 41,549 2,119 43,668 Additions 458 61 519 At 30 June 2005 42,007 2,180 44,187 Amortisation: At 1 January 2005 (as restated -note 1) 22,364 394 22,758 Charged in period 568 65 633 At 30 June 2005 22,932 459 23,391 Net book value: At 30 June 2005 19,075 1,721 20,796 At 31 December 2004 (as restated-note 1) 19,185 1,725 20,910 9 Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders' Funds Six months to Six months to Year to 30 June 2005 30 June 2004 31 Dec 2004 £'000 £'000 £'000 as restated as restated (note 1) (note 1) Retained (loss) / profit for the financial period (484) 300 1,545 Issue of ordinary shares 25 2,447 2,447 Premium on shares issued 129 13,217 13,269 Charge in relation to share awards under the Long Term Incentive Plan 240 - 420 Shares acquired by ESOP trust (814) - (708) Exchange rate adjustments - (34) (35) Net (reduction) / addition to shareholders' funds (904) 15,930 16,938 At the beginning of the period * 57,996 41,058 41,058 At the end of the period 57,092 56,988 57,996 * (originally £62,496,000 as at 1 January 2005, re-stated for prior year adjustment of £4,500,000-note 1) 10 Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash inflow from operating activities Six months to Six months to Year to 30 June 2005 30 June 2004 31 Dec 2004 £'000 £'000 £'000 as restated as restated (note 1) * (note 1) Group operating profit 202 1,285 4,793 Amortisation of intangible assets 728 446 1,156 Amortisation of Film & TV and other related investments 570 2,877 10,223 Depreciation 225 157 320 Charge in relation to share awards under the Long Term Incentive Plan 240 - 420 Decrease / (increase) in debtors 3,142 3,423 (3,554) Increase / (decrease) in creditors * 957 1,197 (22) Currency translation differences on net currency investments - - (35) Net cash inflow from operating activities 6,064 9,385 13,301 * In addition to the change in presentation described in note 1, creditors of £1,687,000, as at 30 June 2004, have been subtracted from the above reconciliation as a result of a management reclassification of operating and acquisition activities. 11 Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt Six months to Six months to Year to 30 June 2005 30 June 2004 31 Dec 2004 £'000 £'000 £'000 (Decrease) / Increase in cash in period (744) 1 (7) New bank loans (3,762) (27,500) (8,877) New finance leases - 18 (31) Bank loans repaid 7,414 25,858 - Movement in net debt from cash flow 2,908 (1,623) (8,915) Net debt at start of period (19,080) (10,165) (10,165) Net debt at end of period (16,172) (11,788) (19,080) 12 Interim Statements The interim results do not constitute full accounts within the meaning of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The comparative figures for the year ended 31st December 2004 are extracted from the latest Group audited accounts. The report of the auditors, KPMG Audit Plc, was unqualified and did not contain a statement under Section 237(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. The interim statements were approved by the Board on 20 September 2005. Copies of the interim statement will be sent to shareholders and are available for inspection at the Company's registered office. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange