Contractor Carillion has increased its order book £6bn over the past six months.

In a trading update this week Carillion said overall trading in the first half of 2006 had been strong and in line with expectations.

It reported that its order book has grown from £7bn at December 2005 to about £13bn at June 2006, following first half successes including the financial close on the £12bn Allenby and Connaught PPP project for the Ministry of Defence.

Carillion said the integration of Mowlem, which it acquired in February, was “progressing well”.

It said it was on track to achieve its expectations for the full year.