A multi-million pound deal has enabled a North Yorkshire poultry business to double its size and potential.

Ebco (Holdings) Ltd, of Bilbrough, near York, has acquired the business and assets of five poultry farms from Sullivans Poultry Group, a subsidiary of Peterborough-based national pig and poultry animal feed company ABN.

The five farms are in Riccall, near York, as well as in Cambridge and Worksop.

Ebco (Holdings) Ltd was advised by York-based independent chartered accountants and business advisers JWPCreers, and commercial lawyers Philip Ashworth & Co.

Ebco (Holdings) Ltd, which was founded in 2002, rears a million broiler chickens at a time, which are sold, through an intermediary, to supermarkets throughout the UK, including many household names.

Director Edward Barker, 35, said: "This is our biggest acquisition to date and a major deal for Ebco (Holdings) Ltd. We took this step because there is a serious future in the UK poultry industry for good quality medium to large independent enterprises.

"This deal enables us to move from being a medium-sized independent poultry producer into one of the largest independent nationals able to provide a high quality, high volume weekly supply. It means we can go forward with real excitement about our future."

The livestock solutions director at ABN's Cranswick office, Phil Woodall, said: "This is a good deal for both parties. Sullivans can now focus on procuring and marketing chicken to our processing customers, and Ebco (Holdings) Ltd will be able to use its considerable farm management skills and economies of scale to optimise returns from these poultry units.

"I am delighted that ABN will continue to provide feed and nutritional advice to these farms, and that Sullivans will continue to buy broilers from Ebco."

JWPCreers partner Stephen Headley advised Ebco (Holdings) Ltd on the commercial and taxation aspects of the acquisition.

He said: "It is always good to see home-grown Yorkshire businesses developing nationally, and this deal represents an important move in this direction for Ebco. It has been a pleasure to assist them."

Commercial property lawyer Helen Mellors, of Philip Ashworth and Co, which advised on all aspects, including taxation, property and employment, said: "This deal gives Ebco (Holdings) Ltd a far stronger platform for its future development."