Games Workshop, the maker of the Warhammer battle games, has demonstrated the benefit of its global strategy by delivering a 40 per cent leap in half-year pre-tax profits.

The Nottingham-based manufacturer and retailer's shares surged by almost 9 per cent to their highest level since the spring of 2005.

The maker of Citadel Miniature soldiers hailed a growth across all its channels and territories, including the UK, North America and Asia, although its revenues fell in Australia and continental Europe.

Games Workshop, which also has eponymous shops, grew its pre-tax profits by two-fifths to £9.5 million for the six months to 28 November, on revenues up by 5 per cent to £62.7 million.

The group generates more than 70 per cent of its sales outside the UK, and has global appeal amongst hobbyists, who collect, build and paint its miniatures and play war games with them.

Mark Wells, chief executive of Games Workshop, said: "An encouraging first-half performance in which we have delivered growth in sales, profit and return on capital from our core business. Good progress has been made on our strategic initiatives."

The group has more than 130 Games Workshop stores in the UK, Republic of Ireland, Scandinavia and Benelux regions.

The group's results also benefited from a large royalty payment it received from the games manufacturer THQ after the launch of its Space Marine computer game.

Shares in Games Workshop jumped by 40p, or 8.9 per cent, to 490p, valuing the group at £154.7 million.