Clothing chain Primark has continued to perform strongly with profits up 18% to £144m in the past six months, owner Associated British Foods has said.

Revenues rose 19% to £1.26bn, with like-for-like sales – which do not include the impact of new stores – climbing by 8%.

Primark was recently embroiled in controversy when it was forced to withdraw a padded bikini for girls.

The chain has 196 European stores and another six will open this year.

ABF, which also owns grocery brands such as Twinings, saw underlying pre-tax profits for the group rise 20% to £331m for the six months to 27 February.

Chief executive George Weston said: “The investments made in recent years are now delivering very satisfying returns throughout the group.”

He also said that Primark was going from “strength to strength” after exceeding expectations in the first half of the year.