Turnover was up 9 per cent and pre-tax profit rose to a new record of £234.8 million.

Furthermore 'the directors are recommending an increase in the final dividend of 32%'.

The number of new homes sold increased by 7.3% to 7,638 from 7,117 and their average price rose by 2.5% from £169,000 to £173,300. Total turnover for the Group was a new high at £1,354 million, an increase of £114 million from last year's level. 

As expected, the operating margin declined, moving from 19.3% to 18.7%, however, profit before tax rose to a new record of £234.8 million, an increase of 6.4%.  Earnings per ordinary share have risen by 6.3% to 146.1 pence from 137.5 pence last year. 

The company said that market conditions looking forward were uncertain, but that its policy of forward sales meant the company was ahead of the position that it had been in at the same time last year.

The company now has 23,500 plots with planning permission.  In addition, land awaiting permission stands at 15,800 plots and when combined with plots with permission gives a land bank totaling 39,300 plots.  The company also holds, for the longer term, some 3,000 acres where planning will be sought in the coming years.