Bed specialist Dreams enjoys a bumper 2002

Privately-owned bed retailer Dreams is 'well up' in both like-for-like and absolute sales for the first few weeks of 2003 after a stormy 2002, according to documents filed at Companies House.

Sales for the year to December 25 increased by 11.4 per cent to£42.9 million and operating profit increased 9 per cent to£1.5 million.

Chairman and owner Mike Clare said the figures to the end of January indicated that this year will also be strong.

'We are expecting a significant record year, which will see us make major inroads towards our long-term aim of national geographical coverage, as well as being the leading retailer of beds in the UK,' said Clare in a statement.