T Clarke has reported falls in both profit and turnover in the first half of the year, due to problems within two of its regional businesses: Preston and Anglia.

Pre-tax profit at the firm dropped to £3.9 million from £4.1 million. Turnover fell by 3.7% to £96 million, a drop of £4 million from this time last year.

Despite the results, the board recommended a 6% rise in interim dividend to 3.9p per share.

Chairman Russell Race said: “Our outlook for the full year is unchanged, with the excellent prospects for construction activity country wide, and especially in the south east leading up to the Olympics in 2012.â€

Group operating profit in the core operations in London was £2.3 million, representing an 11% increase from the pevious year.

Recently won projects include Kent International Airport and London office developments Ropemaker Place and BP2 Canary Wharf.