PERNOD Ricard, the drinks giant behind Paisley-based Chivas Brothers, has lifted organic sales by three per cent to €2.22 billion (£1.62bn) amid an improving performance in Europe and the Americas.

Paris-listed Pernod highlighted strong showings by Speyside malt The Glenlivet and Jameson Irish whiskey as it said that sales continued to improve gradually in the first quarter.

However it warned that trading conditions remain difficult in China amid slowing growth in the world’s second largest economy.

Chairman and chief executive Alexandre Ricard said: “The beginning of the financial year is consistent with our scenario of continued gradual improvement in sales in a contrasted environment.”