BUILDING company Redworth Construction has won seven contracts worth £26m since the start of the year.

The North Yorkshire firm said the deals have seen it nearly reach its £35m turnover target for the year, with a busy order book up to 2010.

After only six years of trading, Redworth saw its turnover reach a record £30m last year, and it is set for a another record this year, after agreeing deals with seven companies across the UK in the past three months.

On the back of the Maltonbased company's continuing expansion, it is building a new headquarters at the nearby £5m Manor Park office development, which Redworth is overseeing.

Work is due to start in June, and the company will also be looking to take on new staff as a result of the move.

Howard Rogers, managing director of Redworth Construction, hailed the company's achievements against a gloomy economic backdrop.

"As everyone knows, these are difficult economic times. But we are delighted to be bucking the trend," he said.

"We are especially proud to be a Yorkshire company which is winning contracts right across the UK in different sectors.

"Our turnover target for this year was £35m - so we are nearly there already."

Redworth has started work on six of the new contracts - in Penrith, Cambridge, Barnsley, Southampton, Reading and Huyton - with a contract in Bromley due to start in June.

The projects include a £3m contract to build 29 flats for the elderly in Penrith, for Methodist Homes; a £6m deal to build a 110- bed care home and 12 apartments for Ranc, in Cambridge; a £3.8m appointment to build a special care home in Barnsley; and a £1m contract with Kids Unlimited, to build a day nursery in Bromley.

It has also won its second contact with Bupa in a few months, with a commission to build a 71- bed care home in Southampton.

Redworth is already working on a care home in Leeds for the organisation.

Mr Rogers said: "These contracts are a good indication of Redworth's skills and expertise.

While we have established an excellent reputation within the care homes sector, we also have a growing track record of success within the child care, homes and social housing sectors, too."