BCH Group plc has announced record preliminary results for the year ended December 31, 1997, including a 47% rise in pre-tax profits to £2.99 million (1996: £2.03 million).

In its first set of results since floating on the stock exchange last November, the contract hire and fleet management company reported an increase in its fleet size of 23% to 14,422 vehicles (11,826 on contract hire), raising turnover by 20% to £55.8 million (1996: £46.5m).

BCH has forecast strong growth for its rebranded remarketing operation BCH Direct and for its personal personal contract purchase scheme AutoChoice.