Tamp beam users may have seen more work recently, as the latest Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply and Markit Purchasing Managers' Index has shown that the construction industry expanded for the fourth month in a row in June.

A rise in new business supported indications of a strengthening in the sector, with the pace of incoming fresh orders continuing to exceed the industry's average, although the rate did slow slightly from May onwards.

All three sub-sectors - home building, commercial construction and civil engineering - saw growth, the report said, with residential property leading the way.

In fact, the creation of houses saw the steepest rise since December 2004, while the expansion of civil engineering activity was the strongest the area has experienced in 27 months.

This comes as several new developments have been reported, including the construction of an eco-village outside of Edinburgh, which has been planned by Sir David Murray.

Written by Andrew Miles