Bovis Homes said it had built 80% more homes so far this year than in 2013 as it battles to keep up with rising sales demand.

The Kent-based housebuilder has 2,096 private reservations on its books for this year, an increase of 78% on the same period last year.

Sales prices continue to increase ahead of management expectations, with the company confident that it will be able to offset an anticipated 5% rise in build costs through higher sales prices.

With strong growth in sales activity, Bovis is stepping up production activity and is now operating from an average of 93 active sales outlets, compared with 90 last year.

It added in a trading update: "The group is aware of the importance of its positive contribution to the Government's ambition to increase new homes production."

Greater consumer confidence, improved access to mortgages and the Government's Help to Buy scheme have boosted the market.