Soft drinks manufacturer Britvic saw its share price increase 14.40p (4.67 per cent) to 322.70p after ramping up the revenues in the year to October 2.

The Essex UK company said that its GB, France and International business units had all delivered positive volume and revenue growth. The only part of the operation lacking fizz is Ireland which Britvic said was “constraining the overall group growth.”

Britvic was able to maintain strong pricing growth, with the GB & International average realised price (ARP) up 2.1 per cent.

France had a strong year with high single digit revenue growth and the successful launch of Teisseire Fruit Shoot.

Group Q4 revenue increased by 0.3 per cent. GB Q4 revenue grew by 2.5 per cent (full year: +2.7 per cent). Carbonates performed strongly with revenue growth of 8.3 per cent, against a backdrop of a competitive market place and a good prior year comparative of +14.4 per cent.

Carbonates ARP growth of 3.4 per cent reflected the company’s price discipline whilst also achieving volume growth of 4.6 per cent. GB stills revenue declined by 5.2 per cent, reflecting the impact of the weaker economy on consumers with volumes down four per cent and ARP down 1.3 per cent due to mix.

Ireland Q4 revenue was down 8.3 per cent (full year: -9.6 per cent). Continued highly challenging macro-economic conditions and disappointing weather in Ireland led to the total soft drinks market, as measured by Nielsen, contracting further, Britvic said.

Relatively stronger performance in the grocery channel had negatively impacted ARP, despite the successful implementation of a price increase and margin accretive innovation launched this year.

France Q4 revenue was down 1.5 per cent but it was described as “a solid performance following the particularly strong comparative with the hot summer of Q4 last year.”

International Q4 revenue growth of 9.5 per cent (full year: +12.8 per cent) was achieved and Britvic reported highly encouraging progress with its franchise operations.

Chief executive, Paul Moody, said: “Our GB, French and International business units have delivered positive volume, price and revenue growth in the full year, despite the continued challenging economic backdrop and poor weather over the summer period. Conditions in Ireland remain difficult.

“Our overall group performance reflects Britvic's strength in having a diversified portfolio of great brands, a strong innovation programme and our focus on maintaining price discipline. We expect to deliver full year results in line with our expectations for the group in 2011.”

• PHOTOGRAPH SHOWS: Britvic chief executive, Paul Moody