<p>Persimmon has announced profit for 2010 of £153.9 million after exceptional items on the back of a 10.5% increase in revenue.</p> <p>Completions increased 4.5% to 9,384 with its average selling price up by 5.7% to £167,245.</p> <p>Group chairman John White said: "Despite a continuing low level of mortgage approvals, the Group is achieving improving returns and remains well positioned for the upturn in the housing market when it occurs."</p> <p>Persimmon said it had seen an encouraging start to 2011.</p>