A Yorkshire estate agency has bought two long-established rivals as it continues on its acquisitions trail.

Linley & Simpson, which has a network of 11 branches across North and West Yorkshire, has taken over the entire portfolios of Minster Property in York city centre and east Leeds specialists Heritage.

The deals, both completed for an undisclosed sum, take to six the number of acquisitions completed by Linley & Simpson since it secured a £1.8m funding package last year through Santander’s Breakthrough Programme – designed to support the owner-managed agency’s strategy for future growth.

Director Will Linley said: “Both Minster and Heritage are long-established independent agencies like ourselves and are well-known names and respected brands.

“We are delighted to acquire the property portfolios of both businesses – they form a natural progression for us, and our investment represents a further signal of our future confidence in the Yorkshire market.”

When it launched in 1997, Linley & Simpson employed just six staff. It now employs 161.

Meanwhile Woods, a south Devon based independent estate agency group, has expanded with the acquisition of long-standing Bovey Tracey estate agency Palmer & Radclyffe.

Palmer & Radclyffe has been trading from the same premises in Bovey Tracey for the last 28 years.

The acquisition follows the decision of principal Victor Palmer to retire, although he stays on as a consultant to the business.

The Bovey Tracey office will trade as Woods Palmer Radclyffe. Stephen Godsland, who has managed the office for the last 15 years, will continue in his role, along with the existing staff members.

Woods Palmer Radclyffe becomes the eighth office of the Woods group.