Northern agent Ryder & Dutton has acquired the business of Mortimers Estate Agents, a long established brand with offices in Blackburn, Great Harwood, Accrington, Clitheroe and Whalley plus a Fine and Country office covering the Ribble and Hodder Valleys.

The sum has not been disclosed

Two years ago, Ryder & Dutton bought Eley Long and Co and Hazeldene Estates.

With the projected opening of a new branch in Linthwaite, Huddersfield, in October, the combined business will be one of the largest in the north with a 26-office network covering large parts of Lancashire, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and north Derbyshire.

As part of the arrangements Edward Snowden of Mortimers will join the board of directors of Ryder & Dutton, and Ian Lloyd of Mortimers will retire after 47 years’ service.

The Mortimers business, while integrated technologically with Ryder & Dutton, will continue to trade under the same brand in the east Lancashire area.

Ryder & Dutton director Richard Powell said: “This is a very exciting opportunity for the directors and staff to create a business well placed to deal with the challenges of estate agency in the 21st century, bringing together technology and new communication methods with traditional local knowledge and customer care, professionalism and high ethical values.”

Ryder & Dutton won best large estate agency three years running in the Negotiator Awards for 2014, 2015 and 2016.