SOUTHAMPTON docks' owner Associated British Ports today shrugged off the loss of its Dibden Bay plans with a rise in pre-tax profits of four per cent to £135.4m.

Figures released by the company confirm that the port of Southampton still leads the way as the top vehicle-handling port in the UK and as the country's cruise capital.

Southampton is a key contributor to ABP's UK ports turnover of £365.4m - the lion's share of the company's £439.5m overall operation.

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