Wrightbus Group more than triples its pre-tax profit

Image caption, Wrightbus employs more than 1,500 people, mainly at its factory in Ballymena

The County Antrim bus manufacturing firm, Wrightbus Group, more than tripled its pre-tax profits to 拢14.5m in 2014.

The profit was achieved on turnover of 拢297m in the 15 months to December 2014.

The directors' report said the figures showed a "substantial improvement" in the Ballymena-based group's performance.

It added that the outlook for 2015 was positive with a strong UK order book.

The business now employs more than 1,500 people, mainly in Ballymena.

Meanwhile, the Wright family's company, which ultimately owns the business, made charitable donations of 拢4.4m in the last year.

The donation from the Cornerstone Group was described as funds for "Christian, evangelical and other charitable activities".