LUXURY boat builder Sunseeker International has seen a big rise in profits.

The Poole-based company saw profits grow from £1.1m to £6.6m in 2018.

Just five years ago, the business lost £41million and shed 300 jobs.

Sunseeker said pure boat operations – excluding other operating income – increased by almost £10m year-on-year.

Underlying earnings were more than £13m, more than doubling the £5.9m of 2017.

Chief financial officer Mike McMillan said: “To oversee a 39 per cent increase in our underlying gross margin is testament to Sunseeker’s focus on the quality of business, and not simply revenue growth.

"We have worked hard to provide an exciting product range for our customers that can deliver increased levels of profitability, to fund further innovation and product development.”