(Sharecast News) - Pub chain Wetherspoons held annual guidance as it reported rise in first-half underlying sales.

Like-for-like sales in the 25 weeks to January 21 rose 10.1% on an annual basis. Bar sales increased by 11.8%, food by 7.9% and slot/fruit machines 10.4%. Hotel room sales were up 3.1%, the company said on Wednesday.

It added that LFL sales in the last 12 weeks were 11.1% higher than the same period a year ago, while total sales had grown by 8.4% in the year to date.

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com