In a trading statement to the City today, Clarke said: “There are numerous tender opportunities available to T. Clarke and whilst we do not see any margin recovery in the short term in our core markets, the securing of valued work is important to retain our leading industry position.

“It has been sensible, therefore, to remain selective when choosing which projects to bid for and we will continue to focus on maintaining margins where possible, despite customer pressure and increased competition.”

Clarke has picked up a number of high profile M&E jobs this year including the London Cable Car, Stratford City Holiday Inn, Tate Modern 2 and the facilities management contract for the London 2012 Olympic Stadium.

Across Scotland, over £3m of residential projects have been secured so far this year.

Elsewhere in the UK other projects recently secured include The Archbishop Courtenay CE Primary School, Maidstone; Diana Princess of Wales Hospital, Grimsby; Waitrose Stores at Alderley Edge, Canary Wharf, Holborn, Jesmond and Newark; and the NetPark project, County Durham.

Clarke’s forward order book stands at £180m as at 30 April 2011 (April 2010: £200m) of which £110m is scheduled to be completed in 2011 having completed £45m of work so far this year.