Smart & Cook has acquired Slater Marchant in the Yorkshire Dales.

Slater Marchant has annual premiums of £4m from its offices in Settle and Grassington.

Directors David Townson and Sue Davis will join the existing Smart & Cook operation with all of their existing staff.

Paul Meehan, chief executive of Smart & Cook, said today: "This is one of five acquisitions, nationally, that will complete over the next couple of months to further strengthen and extend our geographical footprint and trading capability.”

In the past two years the company has raised a £57m ‘war chest' to fund future growth.