Leek United has reported a fall in mortgage lending for 2018.

Lending totalled £158m for the year, down from £184m for the previous year.

Meanwhile, mortgage assets totalled £825m, up from £796m in 2017.

The mutual posted pre-tax group profits for 2018 of £3.4m, down from £3.9m.

Andrew Healy, its chief executive said the results showed that Leek United “remains in a highly robust position within an increasingly challenging and uncertain market environment”.

He added: “The Society remains committed to ensuring that profits are maintained at a suitable level to protect capital, but are not maximised at the expense of member value.

“In line with the Society’s strategic plan, mortgage lending was slightly reduced from 2017, but still represents a solid performance in an extremely competitive market.

“The months ahead are likely to bring even greater challenges, with increased economic and political uncertainty linked to the outcome of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union.

“However, as a mutual building society, our core priorities remain unchanged: to look after our members’ money, enable home ownership and help people plan for a secure financial future.”