ENGINEERING group Amec yesterday vowed to grow its core businesses after putting its loss-making construction divisions up for sale.

The group, which employs almost 1,000 people in the North-East, is to sell its building and facilities services businesses, after recording half-year losses of more than £20m.

Amec said it would concentrate on securing investment for its seven core divisions, including its industrial business, which has its headquarters in Darlington.

Last night, a spokesman said it was not yet possible to say what impact the move would have on its Darlington base.

The retained divisions - which concentrate on the oil and gas, minerals and metal mining, and the nuclear and wind energy industries - accounted for revenue of £1.8bn in 2005, and generated £83m profit.

The company's new boss, Samir Brikho, also sounded a warning that profits for 2006 were set to be £15m lower than previously hoped.