Soft drinks group Nichols anticipates profits for the year will exceed current expectations after a strong first half.The Vimto maker posted a pre-tax profit of £4.3m compared with £3.2m over the same period the previous year as revenues climbed to £37.5m from £29.1m. It lifts the interim dividend to 4.05p from 3.75p.Sales of fizzy Vimto increased by 14.8%, while still Vimto sales climbed 12.5%. International sales increased by 22.6%, with continued strong demand ahead of Ramadan in the Middle East, where the drink's sugariness is valued by Muslims as they break the fast, and growing sales in Africa.The drink's popularity has been boosted by a 'seriously mixed up fruit' advertising campaign, Nichols said.