A major developer operating in the central Scotland region has announced a doubling of pre-tax profits in the last year, it has emerged.

The Stirling-based group Robertson, which operates in a number of sectors including new-home construction, attributed its financial success in part to a restructuring of its operations.

Indeed, construction was one of the strong performances reported by the group in its end-of-year results - with a turnover increased by 22 per cent to £194 million and a jump in pre-tax profits of 93 per cent, to £14.1 million.

Describing the market as "very buoyant" Bill Robertson, chairman of the company, said: "The last few years have been extremely intensive for the group businesses as we pushed on all fronts to achieve our business objectives.

"However the management teams are now seeing the benefits of their efforts and there is now a growing great sense of achievement throughout the group."

Some developments which have been part of Robertson's efforts over the last year include the Tower Park project in Alloa and the Fisher Grange in Moorfield.