BUSINESS is thriving in Newton as a leading housing company is ranked in the UK's top 100 companies.

Morris Homes, which has its headquarters in Newton, scooped 83rd place in the Sunday Times business rich list, published on April 10.

For the third consecutive year, the national construction company featured for its multi-million pound profit increase.

Morris, responsible for close to 4,000 jobs across the country, has boosted profits by an average of 51 per cent each year since 2001, reaching £26.7million last year, with annual sales approaching £150million.

Mike Gaskell, managing director of Morris Homes, said: "Obviously, we are pleased with the company's progress over the past few years.

"Our aim is to provide high quality homes with a strong emphasis on purchaser choice and environmental awareness.

"Over 95 per cent of our developments are on brown field sites and, with an excellent land bank, we are planning to increase production to circa 1,500 new homes over the next 12 months."

The construction firm has recently expanded to the Midlands and Home Counties.