by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Persimmon Homes, the housebuilder that recently bought Kent-based Hillreed, has predicted a good year for the region.

In a trading update, Darren Jones, south east managing director, said 2013 had started strongly. It has existing developments in Kent and new ones in Dartford, Sevenoaks, Westgate-on-Sea and Chatham.

"Following our acquisition last year of Hillreed Homes, which substantially increased the number of locations where we are operating, this year has started strongly for us in the south east," he said.

Nationally, Persimmon has secured an additional allocation of around 3,000 new homes as part of the FirstBuy funding.

Mr Jones added: "The response from prospective purchasers is extremely positive and we're confident that government schemes including NewBuy and FirstBuy will support our sales even further."

Last year, Persimmon and its group companies Charles Church, Westbury and Hillreed, based in Maidstone, saw legal completions jump 6% to 9,903, with an average selling price up 6% to £173,400 (2011: £163,999). Turnover rose 12% to £1.72 billion (2011: £1.54bn).

Final results for year ending December 31 will be released on February 25.