VARIOUS Kent projects have helped construction group Mowlem build on recent good results with a 21 per cent profits hike.

Pre-tax profits rose to £15 million, maintaining the substantial growth the group has enjoyed over the past six years. The company also has a £2 million order book.

Mowlem, based in West Malling where it employs around 55 staff, is involved in a number of local high-profile projects.

They include the recently completed £60m Channel Tunnel Rail Link contract at Ashford for Mowlem Railways, part of Mowlem Infrastructure Services (MIS).

Last month, Mowlem Railways also opened the Mowlem UKFL Training Centre in Ashford, dedicated to the training of rail staff.

The centre was developed with UK Fastrack, a Mowlem subsidiary that supplies blue collar rail staff to the industry.

Elsewhere, Mowlem Marine is working at Denton Wharf in Gravesend. The contract sees the demolition of the existing riverside facility and the construction of a new jetty.

Mowlem Building Division has worked on a number of projects across the region, including Sussex County Cricket Club's new indoor school at Hove, and a £3m swimming pool at Rye.

CL Associates, part of Mowlem's Environmental Services business, is working with South East England Development Agency to regenerate the site of the former Betteshanger Colliery, near Deal.

Mowlem chief executive John Gains, said: "We believe that the Group will continue to make good progress towards the strategic goals that were set two and a half years ago. The significant improvement in our ability to service growth sectors should enable us to exploit fully our presence in a range of markets such as retail, infrastructure and public services.

"Although the outlook for the second half of the year remains uncertain in some markets, we believe we are well positioned to exploit opportunities and expect to make further progress in the second half of 2002 and beyond."