MASSIVE growth in the customer base at credit hire and credit repair services company Helphire Group saw profits and turnover rocket to record levels in the past year. In the year to March 31, turnover was up 87% to £47.6million (1998 £25.5million) while profit before tax increased 81% to £4.54million (1998 £2.5million).

Chief executive Michael Symons, said: 'Helphire is now the clear market leader in providing credit hire and repair services in the UK with a 70% increase in customers compared to last year. We have demonstrated our ability to develop successful products affiliated to our core business and this strategy of introducing innovative legal expense insurance products will continue.'

Most of the business can be attributed to the core business of credit hire and repair services, including its targeting of the fleet sector through its Fleetunique package, although it has also grown through acquisition, including the purchase of Countrywide Assistance this year.