Chocolate retailer Thorntons is giving its Christmas range a makeover in a bid to boost sales.

The firm will launch a marketing campaign ahead of the festive season.

Sales in the company dropped by 3.6 per cent to £129.8 million in June and this contributed to a 2.4 per cent decline in group profits to £6.1 million.

However, the fall was offset by a 15 per cent rise in online sales through commercial customers.

Thorntons will also be updating its Continental range - which often feature in luxury gift hampers - in October.

Its Classic Collection brand was recently revamped and as well as the original coffee truffle and strawberry velvet, new chocolates such as an orange zest sweet were introduced.

The chocolate enterprise, which has more than 350 stores, hopes the latest initiative will help them pull through the tough conditions seen over recent months.

Bosses also revealed the search for a new successor to chief executive Mike Davies is at a well-advanced stage.