The company which reported a 30% rise in turnover to £247.4m in the year to November 2007, said it had been forced to lay off workers in response to a "terrible" climate for housebuilders.

The cuts came in its Robertson Homes division and its Robertson Timberkit arm, which provides timber frames to developers.

A total of 44 jobs were lost at the two companies – with around two-thirds of the cuts coming from Robertson Homes.

Overall, pre-tax profit had dropped slightly to £11.9m from £13m the previous year.

The group employs around 1,000 people.