Taylor Wimpey today said its strong start to the spring selling season had not been derailed by uncertainty surrounding the general election.

The Buckinghamshire-based housebuilder said underlying demand remains high, with the average selling price of one of its homes jumping by 14% to £282,900 since the start of the year, compared to a year ago.

It added that although its order book remains flat compared to 12 months ago at 8,200 homes, its value has lifted 12% to £1.9 billion over the same period and by 33% this calendar year.

Housebuilders have seen home prices driven up by greater mortgage availability, the Government's Help to Buy programme and a recovering economy.

Chief executive Pete Redfern said: "During the first four months of 2015 we have seen the UK housing market continue to grow, with increasingly competitive mortgages and secure employment prospects underpinning homebuyers' confidence."

He added: "We remain focused on progressing our sites through the planning system to enable us to start on site as soon as possible and remain on track to deliver good progress towards all of our medium term targets in 2015."

The business said that its home completions this year are 67% forward sold, leaving it well positioned for the rest of 2015 and beyond.

The firm, which currently operates from 302 sites, said it was on track to meet all its medium term targets for the year.

Jefferies analyst Anthony Codling said: "Taylor Wimpey has seen a strong first quarter and so far the election has not led to a reduction in demand.

"With Help to Buy running very smoothly and cross party political consensus that we need more houses, the electorate are currently voting with their feet and buying houses."

The City forecasts Taylor Wimpey will make an annual pre-tax profit of £586 million, up 30% on a year ago.