CONSTRUCTION group Benson has launched a southern division based in Southampton.

It's the first expansion on the South Coast since a venture capital buy-in for the group last year. The business also operates from offices in Reigate, London and Solihull.

Managing director Alistair Sloan who has lead the company on its bid to acquire a construction company, says that few of the acquisition options available have proved viable.

Benson's interior fitting out division has already completed several projects in the region, including a major contract at the Bournemouth headquarters of Chase Manhattan Bank.

Work has already started on projects in the region, including a £1.7 million contract to build the Woolmer Hill sports centre near Haslemere and a £500,000 extension at Winchester's North Walls police station.

"The southern division will extend the range of the company's expertise in education, social housing, healthcare, government and commercial projects,'' said Mr Sloan. "Despite these early days the team have already proved there is need for our highly disciplined approach to construction in the region.''

Grahame Pettit, a former director with Brighton construction company Barnes & Elliott, has been appointed regional director.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.