Profits build up at Countryside

Housebuilder Countryside delivered double - digit growth in profits in the first half of the year as it continued to build its factory base and acquired a rival developer.

The property group, which floated on the stock exchange two years ago, reported a 15 percent rise in completions, up from 1,437 homes to 1,655. Countryside bought rival house builder Westleigh in April for £ 135.4 million.