HALF year results at York headquartered house builder Persimmon have laid “a robust platform” for further growth as the firm sees its upward trends continue.

All the key figures from the six months ending June 30 2018, saw growth from the same period last year, with the highest jump coming from pre-tax profits, which rose 13 per cent to £516 million.

Revenue as the Fulford based firm, which secured 11,072 plots of new land across the country during the six months, were up five per cent to £1.84 billion, edging further towards the £2 billion mark from the £1.75 billion in the first half of 2017.

New home sales increased four per cent to 8,072, the equivalent of delivering an additional 278 on the same period last year.

The Group saw its new home average selling price rise by one per cent from £213,262 to £215,813.

Jeff Fairburn, Group chief executive, said: “These strong results reflect the continued successful delivery of the Group’s long term strategy and our commitment to meeting customer demand in each of our 30 regional markets across the UK.

“We have continued to experience good levels of customer interest in our housing development sites as we trade through the quieter summer season.

“Customers are continuing to benefit from a competitive mortgage market and confidence remains resilient based on healthy employment trends and low interest rates.

“Our forward sales are six per cent ahead of last year at £2.12 billion which places the Group in a strong position for the second half of the year.

“The Group continues to invest in the business to improve operational capacity. The increased utilisation of the Group’s standard house types and the greater use of the Group’s offsite manufacturing capability will support the Group’s aim to deliver further increases in new home volumes.

“The Group has a robust platform to continue to deliver successful outcomes based on its high quality land bank, strong forward sales, excellent financial position, and experienced management team.

“We believe we are well positioned to deliver further high quality, sustainable growth.”

The company reported £1,154.6 million of cash held, up from £1,120.4 million at the same point in 2017, before a £343.8 million capital return was paid on July 2.