MIDCOUNTIES Co-operative's first end of year figures show an encouraging start for the recently merged society.

The Midcounties Co-operative was formed in September 2005 bringing together Oxford, Swindon & Gloucester Co-op and West Midlands Co-operative Society.

The first end of year results, taking into account the merger, show an underlying trading profit of £6.3m.

Total sales were £420.9m and capital expenditure was £17m.

Society net assets are strong at £146.2m and £31m in members.

The Midcounties Co-operative is based in Oxford and Walsall, with trading outlets stretching to Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire and surrounding counties.

It is the fourth largest co-operative society in the UK, with an annual turnover of half a billion pounds.