SIGNIFICANT projects carried out by a Bolton building contractor have contributed to a sixth consecutive year of record results for its parent company, according to its chief executive.

Durose and Gourlay was acquired by Rok for £13.4 million in 2005 and has been a major contributor to the company's financial growth ever since.

The Westhoughton-based builders started a £2.3 million project with Cheshire Peaks and Plains Housing Trust this year and secured further long-term multi-million pound contracts with Gateway Housing in Preston and Pennine 2000 in Rossendale.

Chief executive Garvis Snook said: "Rok Durose and Gourlay is a well established firm in and around the Bolton area and it is now firmly established as part of the Rok Group. We are delighted that it is able to help the financial growth of the company."

Announcing its annual results for the year ending December 31, 2006, Rok said that revenue was up to £689.3 million, a 24 per cent increase on last year's figure of £555.8 million, and profits increased by 33 per cent, to £22.4 million, from £16.8 million in 2005.

The builders also secured £600 million of new long-term framework contracts during the past year, boosting the total value of long-term contracts held by the company to £1.5 billion, up 36 per cent year on year.

It also has an order book worth £522 million, an annual increase of 58 per cent.

Rok chairman Stephen Pettit said: "These results demonstrate the effectiveness of our business model.

"By concentrating on low risk general building, maintenance and development activities, delivered through local teams supported by the economies of scale that a national group can bring, enhanced returns are now being achieved.

"The opportunities for continuing growth in the markets in which we operate are significant.

"We have an experienced management team, excited by the potential for our business and which is determined to build our position as the nation's local builder."