Construction company McCarthy & Stone expects to report " satisfactory" results for the first half.

In a trading update, the group said it has begun the current year with forward reservations " comfortably" ahead of last year.

McCarthy said the market has strengthened with interest in the group's retirement developments remaining good.

Total unit sales during the first half was 792 at an average selling price of £164,600, and forward sales are at a comparable period to a year earlier.

It said: "Over the six month period the market has been challenging and to achieve a small increase in unit sales with enhanced selling prices and a maintained forward reservations position is a good achievement."

In December chairman and chief executive Keith Lovelock said the group had recorded reasonable visitor levels.

Shares closed down 18.5p at 674p.