A £1.3m building contract at a Gwent comprehensive school is the latest in a series of significant orders won by a company belonging to the Newport-based Rowe-cord group.

Contractor Andrew Scott, pictured left, has recently secured and begun work on more than £5m worth of contracts, including the construction of an arts block and artificial turf pitch at Bassaleg Comprehensive School for Newport city council.

Business development manager Ian Jackson said the atmosphere in the construction market at the moment was certainly competitive, which was good news for those organisations commissioning the work.

"But competition is realistic rather than cut-throat, which gives contractors the necessary stability to look forward," he said.

"The education sector today is obviously a growth market and an important one for us. :It also gives us great satisfaction to be involved in a scheme such as this which gives so much back to the community."

The Bassaleg contract comprises the construction of an arts block with high spec fixtures and fittings and a 90m x 46m artificial turf pitch. Work on the arts block is due to be completed by the end of next January.

The pitch will be ready for the start of next term.

Andrew Scott has established itself as one of the leading construction companies in Wales, with particular expertise in heavy civil engineering and building works.

Projects completed over the past year include a new access and amenity block for Avesta Sheffield at Panteg Steelworks (£2.7m) and a purpose-built research development facility at Swansea Marina for the Welsh Development Agency.

The Rowecord Group was established at West Side, Old Town Dock, Newport, in 1967 by chairman Ben Hoppe, a past president of the British Constructional Steelwork Association.

During the same year, the group opened site facilities at Llanwern Steelworks, followed by new premises at Morfa Industrial Estate, Swansea, in 1974, and site facilities at Port Talbot in 1979.

Today, the Rowecord Group has its headquarters at Neptune Works, Uskway, employs 800 people and has a turnover of more than £50m.