SANDERSON Weatherall has grown its property services division with the acquisition of a Tees Valley firm.

The deal for Hunter Cowie, a niche practice of Chartered Surveyors based in Darlington, marks a return to the town for Sanderson Weatherall whose origins were in Sanderson Townend & Gilbert and Peter Fall Cowie.

George Penrice, a partner at Sanderson Weatherall said: "Hunter Cowie is a well respected name in its sector and it will undoubtedly add value to our current offering.

"It complements our existing specialisms and we anticipate the new division will generate new and exciting opportunities for the business.”

Sanderson Weatherall hopes the move will enable it to develop prospects often not recognised on simple low value properties or the huge spin off of development gain, it will also provide a greater presence for the firm throughout the Yorkshire Dales with scope for business growth in market towns such as Richmond and Barnard Castle.

Mr Penrice added: “This merger will make the services received by both sets of clients broader and stronger, adding another layer of expertise to that which already exists”

Both Alan Cowie and Allan Scott will be retained and the business will trade under the title Hunter Cowie a Division of Sanderson Weatherall LLP

Mr Cowie, said: “There is no doubt that our existing client base will benefit from the strength of Sanderson Weatherall’s network of offices across the UK and their breadth of services. The merger is a beneficial alliance for both parties and provides considerable scope for business development.”