Housebuilder Persimmon hailed strong sales in the first six months of the year, adding that it was "too soon to judge" the effect Brexit will have on the property market.

The York-based firm said the number of homes it completed rose by 6% to 7,238 in the first half of the year to the end of June compared to a year ago, while average selling prices also lifted 6% in the period to £205,500 ($269,000, €242,000).

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It added in a trading statement that group revenues jumped 12% to £1.49bn.

Persimmon, in common with a number of housebuilders, has seen its shares fall by around a third since the Brexit vote, amid fears that the housing market will be particularly hard hit by the decision.

Fund manager Standard Life Investments suspended trading in its UK property fund on Monday blaming "exceptional market circumstances" following the referendum result.

But Persimmon said trading in the period remained strong, as consumer confidence was boosted by low borrowing costs and robust employment levels.

It added that mortgage approvals for home purchases in the first quarter of the year were 18% ahead on a year ago.

However, the firm stated: "It remains too soon to judge the effect that the result of the EU Referendum will have on the UK new homes market.

"We believe that market fundamentals remain strong, supported by long-term unfulfilled demand, and that the UK housing market will continue to provide good opportunities."

Helal Miah, investment research analyst at stockbrokers The Share Centre, said: "Over the reported period, Persimmon noted that low borrowing costs and a healthy labour market continued to support consumer confidence, which should reassure investors.

"Furthermore, Mortgage approvals remained ahead of last year for the same period despite the uncertainty leading up to the referendum vote."

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