Bosses at hi-tech engineering firm Oxford Instruments say the company has made an encouraging start to the year with sales and profits all ahead of the same period last year.

An interim management statement said: “Our markets remain strong despite continued economic uncertainty, particularly in Europe. A healthy pipeline of new product introductions is in place and we are investing across the business to increase efficiency, strengthen our market positions and drive further profitable growth.

Last month the firm, which employs more than 240 staff at its Tubney Woods headquarters, was named the Oxfordshire Business of the Year.