However, it said sales growth has slowed in October and November and it is reducing its cost base in anticipation of a tougher environment in 2009.

The company reported a rise in pre-tax profits to £29.3m in the six months to 30 September from £26.3m a year earlier on revenue that grew from £624.1m to £685.9m.

The company lost an estimated £15m in revenue as a result of the sharp downturn in house building activity.

Organic revenue growth was 6.6%, compared with 13% a year earlier, while like-for-like revenue was up 3.3%.

Like-for-like sales in October, the month after the end of the reporting period, declined by 1.3% year-on-year but profitability was marginally up.