WGB.L Share News (WGB)

Interior furnishings firm Walker Greenbank said it has performed particularly well during the last six months and is trading ahead of company forecasts.The Buckinghamshire-based group, which makes branded paints, bed linen, furniture and carpets, said turnover increased 11% in the six months ended 31 July 2011 from the same time a year earlier. Underlying brand sales grew 9%.Strong second quarter sales were driven by its recently launched Morris & Co collections and Harlequin's Momentum collection, Walker Greenback said in a pre-close update ahead of its interim results.The group, which supplies John Lewis, said underlying brand sales in the UK increased 6% during the period while underlying international sales grew 13%. Rest of the World sales rose an impressive 38%, underpinned by demand from countries such as China where sales were up 20%. Sales in Russia increased 25% while Sweden sales bounced 20%. Middle East sales surged 135% due to strong contract sales.---CJ