FREDERICTON - Increased sales prior to the Christmas holidays led to a good third quarter for NB Liquor.

The Crown-owned corporation says total sales for the third quarter ending Dec. 28 were $103.9 million, up 3.3 per cent from the same quarter the previous year.

It says net earnings were $46.2 million -- up five per cent during the same period.

President Brian Harriman says there was growth in sales of wine, beer and spirits.

NB Liquor operates 44 corporate retail outlets and has 84 private agency store outlets.