ONE OF Hampshire's biggest construction companies has helped its parent group achieve record profits of nearly £28m on a turnover of £1.2 billion.

Bluestone, which has offices in Hedge End and Fareham, contributed to a strong set of full-year results by parent construction group Morgan Sindall plc, which has a forward order book of £2.26 billion.

A Morgan Sindall spokesman praised a solid performance from Bluestone, which saw operating profits rise from £600,000 to £1.3m on the back of public sector work.

Key projects include:

Two schemes worth £6m to construct new healthcare facilities in Havant and Gosport

Key projects include:

A £3.9m scheme to build a three-storey administration and student services building and a £5m project to construct new modular student residences

Key projects include:

A £1.7m extension project at the John Stripe Theatre, University College Winchester.

Other projects in the region include a £581,000 extension of Hythe Primary School and a £412,000 refurbishment of the ABP Cruise Terminal in Southampton.

Bluestone regional managing director Stephen Scard, pictured, said: "Our involvement in several important healthcare and education frameworks and PFI schemes has helped us to strengthen our presence in these core markets."

Bluestone bought up Hedge End-based construction company Benson South for £3m last December, saving 175 jobs, after parent company Benson went into administration following cash-flow problems.

But many regional firms and contractors were left out of pocket after the Benson South work suddenly dried up. The first creditors' meeting was held last Friday in London with administrators PriceWaterhouseCooper.