PERSIMMON has indicated its confidence in the Scottish market with plans to open a further 10 sites across the rest of the year.

That came as the housebuilder saw its profits in the six months to the end of June rise 40% to £135.3 million on the back of improving margins and a 7% hike in completions to 5022.

Revenue increased 12% from £806.7m to £899.9m while average prices climbed 5% to £179,199.

The UK Government's Help to Buy scheme, which helps people to get new homes with only a 5% deposit, has led to 1700 reservations since its launch in April.

In Scotland, both the Charles Church and Persimmon brands were said to be doing well.

Mike Killoran, finance director, said: "We are seeing quite a good market in Scotland. Even without help to buy we have seen about 20% more reservations year-on-year.

"In Scotland we have opened up 13 or 14 new sites in the first half of the year and we have 10 earmarked for the second half.

"We are keen to keep investing in the business in Scotland."

According to Persimmon the availability of mortgages continues to improve, but shared equity and part-exchange are still being used in some purchases, particularly in Scotland.

The company said it will open a further 85 sites across the UK before the end of the year, adding to the 390 it is already active on.

Persimmon's order book is 21% ahead of last year and stands at more than £1.25 billion.

More than 7500 plots of land were added in the period, at a cost of £236m, bringing the total of owned and controlled plots to 70,716.

Mr Killoran said: "Our cash generation is good. We are very liquid which gives us options and we can invest more in land for the future."

Persimmon said it was committed to taking on around 100 apprentices this year with the bulk of them learning skills in bricklaying and joinery.