Housebuilder Story Homes is the only Cumbrian company to feature on a prestigious list of companies with strong sales.

It has been included in the Sunday Times Grant Thornton Top Track 250 league table in 144th place.

This list is designed to rank private "mid-market growth companies" with the biggest sales.

Story Homes, which set up in 1987 by Fred Story and has its headquarters in Kingmoor Park, Carlisle, is a new entrant on the list, which also includes household names like Aston Martin, Holland & Barratt and Travelodge.

The compilers looked at its results up to March, when it reported £174m-worth of sales and a £26m profit.

Steve Errington, chief executive of Story Homes, said: “It is fantastic to be listed in the Top Track 250 this year. I am very proud of our company and the successful year we have had, which has seen us continue to expand rapidly and go from strength to strength across all of our key regions.

"In 2016/17 we delivered our highest ever number of quality new homes and recruited nearly 200 new employees – all whilst retaining our five-star rating for customer satisfaction from the Home Builders Federation.”

Another new entry was Silentnight Group, which is based in Burnley, Lancashire, and owns Aspatria's Sealy Beds factor also appears in the poll. Its sales were worth £120m and it made a profit of £25m, in figures covering the period to June, putting it in 241st place.

Carl Williams, partner at Grant Thornton UK LLP, the title sponsor of the league table, said: “The UK may be at a pivotal point in its history but the Top Track 250 clearly demonstrates what can be achieved by exciting dynamic businesses.

"These companies think locally and act globally, they innovate to grow and embrace an entrepreneurial spirit that this country needs to secure a positive post-Brexit future. At Grant Thornton we are seeking to stimulate ideas and actions that can help shape a vibrant UK economy that thrives. We can all learn a lot from the Top Track 250.”