IT training company QA said a pick-up in demand for its courses has helped narrow half-yearly losses.

QA's pre-tax losses for six months to May 31 were £440,0000, against a deficit of £870,000 the year before.

In recent years the group has suffered because of the poor world economic outlook, which prompted customers to cut their spending on IT.

The company said its market had steadied in recent months.

Chairman Keith Burgess said: "The decline in the demand for training seen throughout 2003 stopped during the first quarter and we have seen some small improvements."

The group said it had benefited from a 34% increase in revenues from its managed training services and a strengthening in demand for learning consulting during the half year.

QA said if recent trends continued, it expected to deliver an "improved" year-on-year performance.