Shares in Walker Greenbank were soaring on the FTSE AIM All Share after the owner of wallpaper brands Harlequin and Sanderson, said it expected pre-tax profit for the full year ended 31 January 2011 to be "materially ahead of consensus analyst forecasts".

The group said it had seen a "highly successful autumn selling period", with record sales of wallpapers and fabrics among all its brands. In particular the group's Zoffany brand has seen a "significant resurgence".

In addition Walker Greenbank said that Sanderson's Vintage collection, launched this year, was now its biggest selling collection, while the group's Harlequin brand is also seeing record sales.

John Sach, Chief Executive of Walker Greenbank, said, "We are delighted to have achieved record sales and profits in the past few weeks, and we continue to benefit from the success of our brands and from the positive trends in the luxury goods market. Our continuing investment in new product launches is underpinned by our robust cash generation, further strengthening the position of our brands in the luxury interiors marketplace."

By 11:10 shares in Walker Greenbank were up 9.32 per cent on the FTSE AIM All Share to 44.00 pence per share.

FTSE