Construction and infrastructure firm Story Contracting has launched a new housebuilding division called Reiver Homes.

This will be based in the company's Burgh Road headquarters in Belle Vue, Carlisle, and will focus on small and medium-sized housing developments.

The company has already secured sales on three properties which have been completed near Moffat Road in Dumfries.

Reiver will have a different range of houses to sister company Story Homes, which focuses on large developments.

This division will be led by Dexter Routledge, who has over 30 years’ experience in the housing industry in Cumbria and south west Scotland.

Work has started on Reiver’s March Mount development near the Fountainbleau Ladypark nature reserve in the Marchfield area of Dumfries, with planning permission granted for 17 of the firm's 73 proposed properties there.

The company is also set to create 10 luxury flats on the first floor of Shaddon Mill, Shaddongate, with work due to begin there next month. This building was formerly developed by Story Homes in the 2000s.

It also has planning applications in for developments at Lansdowne Close in Stanwix, Carlisle, and at Heads Nook. If approved work is due to begin at both in the first half of 2017.

Fred Story, chief executive at Story Contracting, said: “The market place has offered exceptional opportunities for our businesses over the years and house building is where both of our businesses, Story Contracting and Story Homes were born.

"We built our first house in 1987 and to be launching Reiver Homes 29 years on is fantastic. I’m passionate about it and more so, about the quality that the Reiver team can deliver and that will transcend throughout the houses we build. It’s an exciting time to be part of Story Contracting and our new journey with Reiver Homes.”

Dexter Routledge, land development manager at Reiver Homes said: “The Story name is synonymous with high quality, high specification homes in this area and the Reiver brand will epitomise this. We currently have a team of eight people which will grow significantly over the next 12 months as the Reiver Homes brand establishes itself in the market place.

"By being a small family-owned business with years of experience we can deliver crafted houses with quality at the core of each build.”

Story Contracting was set up in 1987 and works in the construction and rail industries. Story Contracting and Story Homes demerged from Story Group in 2013 to become separate companies.