LONDON (ShareCast) - Shares in dental service provider 1st Dental Laboratories rose after it revealed details of restructuring at the group.

This included the closure of its branch at Newbury, the integration of a new laboratory at Riley and the appointment of a new Finance director back in March.

Losses before tax at the group increased to £1.2m for the half year to 31 May 2006 from a loss of £55,000 before. Turnover for the six months increased to £6m from £5.9m.

Restructuring resulted in a one-off exceptional charge of £950,000 and a cash cost of £540,000, the group said.

Chairman Andrew Garner commented, "We have successfully integrated the Riley Laboratory, which we acquired last November and is performing well. We remain the largest dental laboratory group in the UK and are in position to take advantage of the changing market conditions."

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