SSL International, the maker of Durex condoms and Scholl shoes, climbed to a five-year high in London trading after saying that sales rose at least 10 percent in the first half of the year.

SSL climbed as much as 6.1 percent to 529.5 pence (US$10.8), and traded at 527.5 pence at 9:46am, the highest level since April 2002. "This is a good statement showing top-line growth," Evolution Securities analyst Peter Cartwright told Bloomberg News.

Sales in the six months ended September 30 were "in excess" of 260 million pounds compared with 236 million pounds a year earlier, SSL said.

Sales adjusted for currency fluctuations and revenue from China grew about nine percent.

Sales were driven by Durex-branded condoms in east Europe, the UK, Italy and China, and by lubricants in Spain, according to the statement. SSL added new products in Scholl footcare and boosted sales in Asia Pacific.