Bellway says sales since Aug down 50 pct

LONDON (Reuters) - House builder Bellway said sales since August were running at about half the level of a year ago, and it expected a further fall in pretax profit and volumes for the year.

"We are guiding analysts at about 9.30 (a.m.)," Chief Executive John Watson told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday. "Sales are tracking at a level about 50 percent below, so we are expecting a further fall in profit and volumes this year."

The market place was "very competitive," although the picture is mixed across the country, he said. "Manchester, Yorkshire and the Midlands are particularly difficult."

The lion's share of cuts were coming from about 48 sites, said Watson. "We are having to offer 25 percent off the price," he said. "Going forward prices are not sustainable."

(Reporting by Paul Sandle; Editing by Greg Mahlich)