A �2.9m deal to create a hi-tech imaging unit at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital has boosted the performance of the East Anglian operation of construction group Morgan Sindall.

The N&N contract will see Morgan Sindall create a new Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT) unit at the hospital's Colney site.

Morgan Sindall, which has offices in Norwich's Thorpe Road, said its performance in East Anglia had contributed to a 'solid set' of half year results for its parent group.

Morgan Sindall's group pre-tax profit fell from �23.1m in the first half of 2010 to �19.5m in the six months to 30 June this year. But the group's revenue increase from �1.09bn this year from 982m in the first half of last year.

But the group said it had a 'strong order book' of �3.5bn supplemented by a �1.8bn pipeline of regeneration schemes.

A further �0.8bn of these schemes are at preferred bidder stage.

In addition to the N&N deal, Morgan Sindall's East Anglian operation has also been awarded a �148,000 scheme with Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust to replace some of its kitchens and has completed a major project in Essex – the �38 million Basildon Sporting Village which is the largest sports project in the Thames Gateway regeneration area. In Lowestoft, work is continuing on the �18.5m Lowestoft Sixth Form College in St Peter's Street.

'Morgan Sindall continues to provide the highest levels of service to our customers, ensuring we support them in what is currently a challenging environment,' said Graham Shennan, managing director of Morgan Sindall.

'In addition, we remain committed to maintaining strong relationships with our supply chain and joint venture partners as this underpins the outstanding quality of our projects.

'Looking ahead, we are well positioned to take advantage of emerging opportunities across a range of existing and emerging market sectors.'

The firm's sister company, the affordable housing, regeneration and maintenance specialist Lovell - which also has offices in Thorpe Road - has secured �22.5m of new work in East Anglia since February.

The new work includes two deals with Flagship housing - a �7.9m development of 38 affordable homes and 25 family homes in Horsford and a �5.8m design-and-build scheme for 66 affordable homes in Thetford.

Lovell managing director Stewart Davenport said: 'Our order book is holding up very well, in what remains a difficult market, and our performance is in line with our expectations.

'We are constantly looking at new ways to build and grow Lovell and the recent announcement that we have won two contracts to provide photovoltaic solar panels to our customers is evidence of this. These are exciting times to be part of Lovell and we are all looking forward to the rest of 2011.'