The owner of Guinness say sales of the Irish stout were broadly flat both at home and abroad.

Preliminary results for 2017 from Diageo show sales in Africa declined by 5% and grew in Europe by 2%, driven by distribution expansion.

Diageo say here at home net sales were also flat - increasing by just 2%.

It says this was driven by continued success of Hop House 13 Lager, with share gains across Ireland and the UK.

Other beer brand sales fell by 4%, while a 10% growth in spirits was driven by Gordons and Smirnoff.

Bailey's performance in its home country remains strong at growth of 7%.

Globally Bailey's net sales grew 5%, but the liquor saw 6% growth in its biggest market of Europe.

The drinks-maker says the Latin America and Caribbean markets contributed with double-digit growth.

In January, Diageo Ireland announced a €25m investment into the newly-established Roe & Co distillery.

More recently it announced plans for a €16m expansion of the Guinness Storehouse.