(Reuters) - Spirit Pub Company Plc (>> Spirit Pub Co PLC) reported a strong growth in fourth-quarter sales as Britain experienced its hottest summer in seven years, drawing more people to pubs.

The company, which operates pubs under brands such as Chef & Brewer, Fayre & Square and Flaming Grill, said like-for-like sales rose 4.1 percent at its managed pubs in the 12 weeks to August 17.

Net turnover increased 2.2 percent at its leased pubs, which are tenanted and run by pub-keepers who pay the company rent and are dependent on it for their beer supply.

The summer months typically account for more than a third of full-year profit at Spirit, which operates about 800 managed pubs and has over 400 leased pubs.

Rivals Greene King Plc (>> Greene King plc) and Punch Taverns (>> Punch Taverns plc) reported higher sales on Tuesday and said consumer confidence was improving.

Shares in Spirit, which was split from Punch Taverns in 2011, closed at 75.50 pence on the London Stock Exchange on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Roshni Menon in Bangalore; Editing by Gopakumar Warrier)

Stocks treated in this article : Punch Taverns plc, Spirit Pub Co PLC, Greene King plc