Hunters Property Group, the 105-branch national estate and lettings agents, has united with a smaller estate agency business with an almost identical name.

Hunters Group, based in the west midlands, has eight offices and the deal has been done on undisclosed terms.

It is, however, being described as a merger and not an acquisition, with Kevin Hollinrake, managing director of Hunters Property Group and John Ozwell, founder and chairman of Hunters Group, releasing a joint statement.

They said:  “We are delighted to be able to unify the Hunters name under a single business.

“We have been friends and admirers of each other’s businesses for many years and are very excited about the potential that Hunters has to become a huge brand in estate agency across the UK.”

Hollinrake – who will be standing as a Tory candidate in next year’s General Election – added: “As we continue to grow our company, this is an important strategic merger that is designed to complement our existing network.

“The investment into Hunters Group marks the latest effort to boost our coverage and success in the residential market, both across the midlands and nationwide”.