A miserable summer helped to draw players to Rank's bingo halls and gambling website, helping to offset a hit from the recently imposed smoking ban in England in Wales.

Shares in the group soared 7.6 per cent in morning deals as first half pre-tax profits, adjusted for the recent disposals of its Hard Rock and US Holidays businesses, rose to £37.3 million, up from £21.9 million a year earlier and ahead of analysts' forecasts.

First-half revenues were up 2.3 per cent, at £284.6 million at Rank, which runs Mecca bingo clubs, Grosvenor casinos and Blue Square, the gambling website.

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