FOOTBALL scored over washing the car during the World Cup, a service station chain has claimed.

Britain's biggest independent petrol retailer Save Group pinpointed tournament as one reason for a sharp drop in car wash sales in the first half of the year. Wet weather and a price campaign by rival Conoco were also blamed for the slump. But the group still improved its financial performance in the 26 weeks to June 25. Its pre-tax profit grew from £3.1 million to £3.5 million while turnover improved from £203.7 million to £208.5 million. Chairman James Frost said: "We expect a recovery in car wash revenues after a terrible first six months and increased activities in our shops as they continue to take over from the traditional corner shop." He added: "1998 has already shown, and will continue to show, enormous change for the better for us as we return to a more stable period, coming out of what must have been the worst three years the industry has ever known." Save has about 420 outlets across the country.

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