Marks & Spencer has continued its turnaround with a 28.5% increase in annual pre-tax profit to £965.2m - near the £1 billion it reported in 1998.
Profits at Britain's largest clothes retailer were at their highest level in nearly a decade thanks to higher sales in fashion and food.
Chief executive Stuart Rose, who has led one of the most celebrated turnarounds in British retail, said total sales from its 520 stores reached £8.6 billion pounds, up 10.1%.
Rose said in a statement M&S would create 10,000 new jobs over the next three years. He added he expected the retail environment to become 'more challenging'.
M&S today also announced the appointment of dotcom entrepreneur Martha Lane Fox as a non-executive director.
Ms Lane Fox, who co-founded lastminute.com in 1998 will help the retailer expand its online operations.
Despite the strong results, M&S shares fell 4.7% to close at 719p in London.
