The owners of Southern FM say Johnny Vaughan's first month as breakfast show host on its flagship station Capital FM have gone down well with listeners.

Capital Radio, which also runs the Century FM network, said initial feedback on Chris Tarrant's successor at the London station had been "extremely encouraging".

The update on the performance of the former Big Breakfast presenter came as Capital announced flat half-year profits of £12.1 million and reported a "modest improvement" in the advertising market conditions.

Revenues for the six months to March 31 rose four per cent to £59 million with the performance for June set to benefit from advertising linked to the Euro 2004 football contest.

Friday May 21, 2004