Countrywide has revealed it has bought four lettings businesses so far this year – and is scouting for more.

The acquisitions in the first three months of 2015 are Property Links in Plymouth, Anderson Residential in Sutton Coldfield, the large portfolio of HE Lettings in Lincolnshire and All in One Move in Swindon.

Nick Dunning, group commercial director of Countrywide, said: “These acquisitions significantly increase our regional footprint and fill in the geographical gaps in our portfolio.

“Current market conditions offer ongoing opportunities to acquire lettings businesses and scope to enter new markets as well as expand our presence in existing markets.”

* Countrywide has said it has not suspended all its regional newspaper advertising pending the general election. Eye asked the company about suggestions that it may have done so, but a spokesperson told us: “We are encouraged by the amount of enquiries we are receiving from Rightmove, Zoopla and our own websites as well as where we are investing in online advertising.

“We regularly review our marketing activities to ensure that we are using the most effective channels for our vendors, and we continue to advertise in regional newspapers as part of our marketing strategy.”