Housebuilder Wilson Bowden today reported strong sales despite signs the housing market was starting to cool down.

Average selling prices continued to be 10% higher than a year ago and the group said this would more than offset the planned reduction in the size of its properties.

Leicester-based Wilson added that forward orders were positive as it chases a ninth successive year of record profits.

The group builds houses in almost 40 counties in the UK and has a property development division - Wilson Bowden Developments - which is involved in the retail, industrial, leisure and office sectors.

The company said its housebuilding business was heading towards growth in the full-year, helped by higher-than-expected property prices in the North and Midlands.

"There are some signs that the market is becoming less heated, however we are still selling strongly and at margins consistent with our first half performance," Wilson added.

Buyers have reserved 73% of the properties that it expects to sell this year under its David Wilson Homes brand.

Wilson said it was on track to meet its expectations for 2005 after securing most of the residential plots needed for growth in a favourable market.

Around 70% of these plots have planning permission and the group was confident of securing the remaining approvals.

Friday June 18, 2004