Augean counts cost of bad weather

In the six months ended June 30, Augean's revenue including landfill tax was 16.3m, compared to 16.8m in the same period last year.

The company reported an underlying loss before tax of 300,000, compared to a profit of 1m the year before.

In a statement, the company said its results were in line with the board's expectations, after trading in January and February was hampered by "extreme weather" conditions.

The Wetherby-based company said management was focusing on "cost discipline" to adapt to challenging trading environment

Paul Blackler, the company's chief executive, said: "Results for the first half are in line with the board's expectations despite the cold weather in January and February hampering the group's ability to trade normally.

"We continue to pursue our strategic initiatives which we believe, coupled with recovery in our core business, will further enhance the group's performance.

"The encouraging signs of a recovery in our markets have continued into the early part of the second half of the year."