AS the construction sector continues to thrive with both increased confidence and strong order books, Bromsgrove builder Weaver PLC is reporting healthy half-year results.

Turnover for the six months to the end of September was £17m. This was achieved over a range of projects across the education, health, residential, commercial and retail sectors.

Projects started during this period include a new £2.4m teaching block at Perryfields High School, Oldbury, for Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council; a £641,000 alteration and refurbishment project at Lea Castle Hospital near Kidderminster and a £1.2m eight bedroomed, three-storey house and leisure complex for a private client in Solihull.

In the commercial sector Weaver is building on its successful relationship with Calthorpe Estates, undertaking a £500,000 refurbishment and extension of an office in Hagley Road, Birmingham. This is Weaver's fourth project for the prestigious estate owner.

Despite slowing activity in some retail sectors, Weaver reports seeing strong levels of activity with two of the UK's key retailers in Bristol, Stroud, Stoke-on-Trent, Nottingham and Market Harborough.

Alan Adamson, joint managing director at Weaver, said: "The industry remains extremely buoyant with statistics recording increased activity for 46 consecutive months.

"We have had a great opening to our year, with orders over the last six months being a mix of projects for both new clients and those with whom we have worked for many years.

"Developing long-term relationships is one of our key business objectives and the fact that we can demonstrate the achievement of this goal is testimony to the skill, hard work and can-do attitude displayed by every single member of the team."