Equity has acquired the Gillingham branch of Dorset broker, Castle Insurance Consultants.

The vendors will continue to operate Castle's three remaining branches in Holbeach, Holmes Chapel and Norwich.

Castle was established in 1983 by partners Mike Watts and Ray Partridge. They formed the limited company in 2005.

Watts and all existing employees will continue servicing the company's personal and commercial clients from its town centre office which will be re-branded Equity Insurance Brokers. Meanwhile, Partridge will develop his financial services business from adjacent premises.

Equity's acquisitions director Mike Hutton said: "The opportunity met the group's regional acquisition criteria and sustains its vigorous expansion strategy."