A HOUSEBUILDER says strong customer demand is fuelling an increasingly healthy market.

MJ Gleeson has revealed it sold 321 homes in the six-month period to December 31, a 24 per cent rise on the previous year’s total of 258.

It added its forward order book, which stands at 299, is also 23 per cent higher.

Bosses revealed the trading update comes after last year announcing a record order book, when pre-tax profits increased 110 per cent to £12.2m for the year to June 30 2014.

The company has offices in Chester-le-Street and Wynyard Park, near Stockton, and is responsible for a number of North-East projects, including properties on the former Lamplas caravan part maker site, in Leadgate, near Consett.

Jolyon Harrison, chief executive, said: “Our performance has been encouraging as we continue to benefit from providing low-cost family homes in the North.”

Gleeson also has properties in Stanley, County Durham, and Ushaw Moor, near Durham City, and previously told The Northern Echo it was looking to target cheaper land in the region to further boost its presence, including potential areas in Bishop Auckland and Middlesbrough.

Its work at the Lamplas site was approved by councillors last year after the area was left vacant when the company moved to new premises in Castleside, also near Consett.