Pre-tax profits also improved, rising from just £273,000 in 2010 to £1.4m last year.

Chairman and founder Dennis Curran said: “Over the last 12-18 months the management team has been busy improving the business and putting the building blocks in place for long term sustainable success.

“We are delighted with the underlying performance of our operations across the UK and are starting to see the results of improved project and risk management.”

Growth was driven mainly by spending peaking on Barhale’s seven traditional long term water frameworks.

This saw average staff numbers rise from 591 to 740.

Barhale plans to diversify the business into energy and transport, applying its integrated tunnelling, civil engineering and mechanical/electrical services model.

Curran added: “In 2011 we made significant progress in developing our market position in the energy and transport sectors, including winning new frameworks and projects with Gatwick airport, BP, Crossrail and Scottish Power.

“We also successfully completed a number of high profile rail projects and refocused our overall rail strategy to reflect a more selective approach.

“With a number of strong, long term relationships in place with blue-chip regulated customers in our target sectors, we are in a good position to continue to grow and diversify over the coming years.”

Barhale’s order book stands at £295m with £109m being undertaken this year.