UPDATE 1-Thorntons says Q4 sales hit by hot weather

* 10 weeks to June 27 sales down 2.7 pct

* Forecasts FY profit "marginally ahead" of mkt consensus

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LONDON, July 15 (Reuters) - British chocolate retailer Thorntons Plc (THT.L) on Wednesday posted a fall in fourth quarter sales, blaming the hot weather, but said full-year profit will be a touch ahead of market forecasts. "The board expects that profit before tax and before the anticipated pension scheme credit for the full year ended June 2009 will be marginally ahead of the current market consensus of 5.4 million pounds ($8.79 million)," said Chief Executive Mike Davies.

The firm said that over the 10 weeks to June 27 its sales declined by 2.7 percent to 27.9 million pounds.

"The hot weather in June adversely affected sales compared with last year's cold and wet weather," it said.

Own store sales for the quarter declined by 0.9 percent and Thorntons Direct sales fell 30.8 percent, reflecting a continued weakness in sales to corporate customers, but commercial sales (sales to other retail outlets such as supermarkets) increased 3.1 percent.

Franchise sales fell 25.3 percent, impacted by Birthdays Ltd, which operated 94 franchises, going into administration.

The firm said its sales for the second-half increased 6.6 percent to 86.4 million pounds.