One of the UK's top housebuilders Taylor Wimpey has completed a record number of new homes in the first six months of this year.

The firm sold 7,303 homes in the first half of 2021, compared with 2,771 in the same period last year.

It expects to sell between 13,200 and 14,000 by the end of the year and achieve an operating profit of around £820 million.

Pete Redfern, chief executive, said: "We have delivered a record first half performance and a strong operating profit margin performance of 19.3%, which reflects tight cost discipline as well as higher completions in the period.

"Backed by last year's equity raise we stepped up our activity in the land market before competition returned and we successfully increased our land pipeline with high-quality sites that will deliver a strong financial performance."

Average selling prices on private sales increased by 6.5% to £327,000. The total average selling price increased by 11.2% to £299,000, reflecting a lower proportion of affordable homes in the mix and house price inflation.

The company produces a range of homes from one-bedroom apartments to five-bedroom homes.

First time buyers accounted for 46% of total sales in the first half of 202. Investor sales continued to be at a very low level at 4%.

During the first half of 2021 approximately 27% of private reservations used the Help to Buy scheme.