The number of homes built by Persimmon rose by almost a third

Persimmon reported profits of �582.1m ($1.14bn) for 2006, up 17.5% on the previous 12 months.

Revenues rose 37% to �3.14bn, while current forward sales were up by �1.3bn from the same point a year ago.

It added it had not noticed any loss of confidence among buyers following January's surprise interest rate rise.

Persimmon also said that it had raised its target for the cost savings from last year's takeover of Westbury to more than �45m a year from 2007, up from a previous estimate of �40m.

'Impressive results'

Persimmon - which also owns the Charles Church business - increased the number of homes it completed by 32% to 16,701, with the average selling price rising 4% to �188,129.

Persimmon continues to go from strength to strength Keith Bowman, Hargreaves Lansdown Stockbrokers See Persimmon's share price

"2006 was an exceptional year for Persimmon," said chairman John White, as he announced that the company was raising its full-year dividend by 50%.

Analysts have said the UK housing market may begin to cool later this year as the impact of three interest rate rises since August begins to take effect.

However, Persimmon said even January's surprise rise in rates had failed to dent interest from buyers.

"The beginning of the year has started well despite the unexpected rise in interest rates, and to date we have achieved a good level of reservations and have not experienced any loss of purchaser confidence as a result of this rate increase," the company said.

"These are impressive results," said Keith Bowman, Equity Analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown Stockbrokers. "Persimmon continues to go from strength to strength."

Shares in Persimmon closed 3.4% higher at 1473p.