Contractor Henry Boot put in a strong half-year performance but warned it was unlikely to continue at the same level for the rest of the year.

Pre-tax profit at the property and construction group rose by 74% to 拢13.5m.

Group revenue increased from 拢42m to 拢51m in the six months to 30 June 2006. A property revaluation accounted for 拢2.6m of the profit, meaning that underlying interim profit increased by 60%.

However, it blamed delays in new framework contracts and Home Office prison work starting on site for a fall in turnover at its construction group.

John Reis, chairman, said that property demand in the retail and warehousing sectors was particularly strong.