Bellway has increased its completions in the first half of its reporting year by 12%.

The housebuilder, in an unaudited trading update for the six months to 31 January, reported 4,577 completions, compared to 4,092 for the same period the previous year.

Bellway said it is on track to complete 8,500 homes in the full year in line with its previous guidance, which also said it was expecting operating profit of £290m.