The first of a number of construction contracts for the Center Parcs Longford Forest holiday village has been awarded to Co Westmeath firm Bennett Construction Limited.

The directors of building group Bennett Construction granted themselves an aggregate 54% pay increase last year as revenues and profits at the business rocketed.

Two members of the Bennett family that operates Bennett Construction shared a dividend windfall last year of €1.4m as pre-tax profits at the firm doubled to €400,000.