Construction-related companies make up nearly a fifth of the UK's 100 fastest-growing private firms, according to a new national survey.
The sector accounted for 18% of companies on a list that looked at growth in operating profit over the past four years.

The top-ranked industry firm was Hertfordshire-based contractor Getjar, which increased profit 81%, from £667,000 to £3.95m, over the past four years and last year posted turnover of £24.25m.

The firm, which specialises in putting up steel and reinforced concrete frames, was ranked 13th in the list published in The Sunday Times last week.

Next came contractor Wates (25th) with 63% profit growth between 1996 and 2000. Housebuilders Weston Homes (30th) and Bloor Holdings (31st) posted profit growth of 58% and 54% respectively while contractor Higgins Group (37th) increased profit by 47%.

Also on the list were contractors Kebbell Holdings (67th), Cumbrian Industrials (78th) and Willmott Dixon (89th); housebuilders Squire Bridges (43rd) and United House Group (50th), and engineering consultant Oscar Faber (96th).

The list was compiled by Oxford-based research and publishing company Fast Track.