BT Chairman Sir Michael Rake has opened the Annual General Meeting for BT shareholders with the announcement that last year has been 'a good year for BT shareholders'.

Speaking to them, at the BT Convention Centre in Liverpool where the company employs over 2,000 people, Michael Rake reviewed the year which saw earnings increase 62 pct, profits 19 pct and debt reduced by £1 billion.

The overall five year cash flow for the company was at its highest at £1,933 million as the company sought to increase liquidity, said Michael Rake.

Full year dividend was up six percent at 6.9 pence.

More to follow