Support services and construction company Carillion has reported a 17% increase in the first half of this years pretax profit and said it is on track to achieve a rise in earnings for the full year.

Philip Rogerson, Chairman, commented: "Carillion continued to perform strongly in the first half of 2009. A high quality order book, a resilient business mix, strong positions in our chosen market sectors and a robust balance sheet continue to underpin our expectation that, despite challenging market conditions, Carillion will deliver materially enhanced earnings in 2009."

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The firm said its Middle East construction services performed strongly and its is on track to increase revenue from £464 million in 2008 to around £600 million by the end of this year following successful expansion in Abu Dhabi.

Alfred McAlpine integration cost savings are also coming through - increasing from £15 million in 2008 to £35 million in 2009 and to £50 million per annum in 2010.

(CD/GK)