THE UK's biggest housebuilder, Persimmon, yesterday said it was on course to post a record set of annual results.

The company, which is based in York, said there was continuing confidence in the housing market, and predicted forward sales would rise more than 22 per cent from £572m at the start of the year to more than £700m.

In a trading statement, Persimmon said it was well placed to grow its business into the future, saying that savings had been accelerated and would be higher than the £40m a year originally indicated for next year and beyond.

It also said its Westbury acquisition had been quickly integrated into the company, and that further benefits were expected, with the development of the Westbury Partnerships affordable housing business and of strategic land plots. In a statement to the Stock Exchange, Persimmon said: "We therefore expect to announce another record set of results, in line with the board's expectations.

"There is continuing confidence in the UK housing market, and the new year and early spring periods have historically produced an uplift in reservations. We are well placed to grow our business further in 2007 and beyond."