A CONSTRUCTION company with a big Swindon presence has contributed to record half-year results for its parent company.

Bluestone, locally based in Ashworth Road, is part of Morgan Sindall plc, which has announced a record turnover of £604 million, up eight per cent over the last year.

Before tax profits are up 27 per cent for the six-month period, to £13.2 million.

Earnings per share rose 26 per cent to 18.20p, and the board has announced an interim dividend of 5.25p, up from last year's 4.75p.

Bluestone's new contracts in the Swindon area, worth more than £20 million, have contributed to the results.

These contracts include an extension scheme at Oliver Tomkins Junior School in Toothill, refurbishment at the Bible Society in Westlea and two projects in Marlborough.

Other key local clients are WilliamsF1 in Wantage and Tyco Electronics and Nationwide Building Society in Swindon.

John Rawlinson, regional managing director, said: "Our relationships with key local clients have helped us to make a solid start to the year and we are confident of further business growth in the region in the second half of 2004."