The South East and East Midlands showed biggest gains in the three months from March to May, compared to last year.

New figures for May were the highest monthly figure recorded so far this year at 13,220, but were down slightly by 5% on the same record month of 13,914 in 2013.

For the rolling quarter a total of 37,975 new homes were registered with NHBC an increase of 4% on last year and a continuation of the sustained growth seen during the year to date.

Within the headline three-month figure private sector registrations jumped 6% to 28,222, while the public sector slipped back by 1% to 9,753.

NHBC’s Chief Executive Mike Quinton said: “House-building levels have remained steady, continuing through May and consolidating the high volumes seen in 2013.

“Overall we are seeing steady growth on last year’s exceptional figures and we obviously hope that this will continue throughout the remainder of the year as the sector continues its impressive recovery.”