A LEADING Cumbrian holiday property business has been taken over by one of the UK's top rental agencies.

Husband and wife team, David and Julia Hogarth, have sold Lakes Cottage Holidays - which has properties throughout South Lakeland - to Sykes Cottages for an undisclosed sum.

Mr Hogarth will remain a director of Lakes Cottage Holidays' sister company, Carlisle-based Cumbrian Properties, which he runs with his brother Adrian Hogarth.

Sykes, the UK's largest independent holiday cottage rental agency, has bought Lakes Cottage Holidays as part of its growth strategy.

The Lakes Cottage Holidays name will remain and all 16 staff, including the couple's daughters, Rachael Hogarth-Morley and Sarah (Sasha) Earl, will be kept on.

Mr Hogarth said: "We are delighted that Lakes Cottage Holidays have become part of Sykes Cottages. Going forward we feel they are the best agency to grow the business for the benefit of our customers, owners and staff."

Earlier this year Lakes Cottage Holidays, which has offices in Keswick and Windermere, was honoured in the hotels and leisure category of the National Family Business of the Year Awards.

Mr Hogarth explained: "Sykes saw us at the awards ceremony and it went from there. We received a very good offer at a time which was right for us."