Costain breaks £1bn barrier

The group reported turnover of £1.06bn, although it posted a drop in pre-tax profit from £23.1m to £18.1m.

Its year-end order book was up 30% at £2.6bn including about £900m of secured work for 2010.

Its environment division accounted for £426m of the turnover and infrastructure contributed £365m. Its community division, which includes its health, education and retail operations, shrank from £286m to £169m.

David Allvey, its chair, said: “We are confident that our position in markets underpinned by strategic capital expenditure, regulatory commitment or essential maintenance requirements will continue to stand us in good stead.”