This comes as the engineering company moves away from construction concentrating more on providing support services to the oil, gas and mining industries.

Amec has also said that it expects its 2007 pre tax profit to increase by £5 million.

AMEC chief executive, Samir Brikho, said:

"These are strong results and demonstrate that we are delivering sustainable improvements in performance. We have completed the STEP Change programme ahead of schedule and 2008 benefits of at least £40 million are greater than our original commitment. The divestment programme is effectively complete, we are making good progress with legacy issues and our balance sheet is strong.”