"It's encouraging that people who came into our stores out of curiosity back in January liked what they saw and kept coming," Mr Stott said.During the first half, pre-tax profits rose by 10.2 per cent to £126.2m from £114.5m a year earlier, on sales up 14.8 per cent at £2.48bn. Mr Stott added: "Our results show we can juggle and keep two plates spinning at one time. Numis Securities nudged its forecasts for 2004 and 2005 higher to £313m and £330m respectively and raised its share price target.Sir Ken Morrison, the group's chairman, said the "great deal of extra work" caused by the bid had not distracted Morrisons from the day-to-day task of running its business. Wm Morrison's shares rose 4p to 221p.The company said the recent hot weather had helped total like-for-like sales growth to accelerate to 9.6 per cent in the first five weeks of its second half, from 9 per cent in the six months to 10 August. Excluding petrol, like-for-like sales rose by 9.1 per cent in current trading and by 8 per cent during the first half.Analysts were impressed by Wm Morrison's trading performance, which outstripped the 6.3 per cent growth reported by Tesco earlier this week. This was more than expected because the company had not originally bargained on being referred to the Competition Commission.Mr Stott's comments came as the Bradford-based group reported a strong jump in first-half sales and profit growth, buoying its chances of success in the bidding war.

A fifth bidder, Philip Green, has already been cleared on competition grounds.Morrisons revealed that costs linked to the takeover bid, such as paying lawyers, had soared to £6.6m during its first half, adding to the £3.5m it absorbed in its last financial year. William Morrison Supermarkets ruled out teaming up with Wal-Mart's Asda to launch a knockout cash takeover offer for Safeway yesterday in the event that a competition inquiry clears both bidders to proceed in the £3.5bn bid battle. Bob Stott, the company's joint managing director, said: "We have no intention of making anybody else's bid successful." He said the group had set out last January to merge with Safeway, adding: "We would still like to do that."The Government will rule later this month whether to clear either of the four groups fighting to acquire Britain's number four supermarket operator. The next five places go to members of the Walton clan, the family behind the world's biggest retailer Wal-Mart.. The latest Forbes rich list, published today, says his net worth has risen $3bn to $46bn (£28bn) in the last year, making him America's wealthiest man. Second is the investment guru Warren Buffett with $36bn and third is the co-founder of Microsoft Paul Allen, with $22bn.

Mr Gates said: "As our first director from outside the United States, Helmut will bring a valuable global perspective to our board."Mr Gates is Microsoft's biggest shareholder, with 11 per cent. Previously he had been finance director of the Munich-based car company. The other two are Bill Gates, the Microsoft founder and chairman, and Steve Ballmer, its chief executive. Mr Panke, 57, took over as BMW chairman in May last year from Joachim Milberg.