Paving stone maker Marshalls gave an upbeat assessment for 2008 and said 2007 was in line with expectations.

Marshalls said the outlook for 2008 in its public sector and commercial market - which represents more than half of total sales - is positive, based on data about recent contract awards.

It added that installer order books in its domestic market, based on the latest survey at the end of October 2007, covered 9.9 weeks. This is ahead of last year's 9.1 weeks, which it described as encouraging.

Group revenue from continuing operations for the year to 31 December increased 7% to £403 million against £378 million in 2006.

On a like-for-like basis, revenue from continuing operations was up 4% at £393 million compared to £378 million last time. Acquisitions contributed £10 million to group revenue.

Like-for-like sales to the public sector and commercial market rose 7% over 2006.

Like-for-like sales in the domestic market were slightly ahead, having been particularly badly affected by unusually wet weather in June and July.

Shares, which have come off sharply in the past year, were up 4.9%, or 11.5p, to 248.3 pence.