A LONG-established Malvern business has changed hands.

Richard Drinkwater, Ron Sparrey and the late John Badham founded S B and D G Services in Cowleigh Road in 1969.

The firm, which services and repairs garden machinery, was subsequently based in Worcester Road before finding its current home in Townsend Way.

The business has now been bought by County Building Supplies, which intends to continue its operation under manager Richard Bradshaw. It is also adding a HSS Hire Shop, which is expected to be up and running by the beginning of February.

S B and D G Services has been a genuine family concern, with the active running of the firm being in the hands of Frances Sparrey and Phyllis Drinkwater over the last five years. The Badham family also play an important part, with Anne Badham being a director and son Mark working on the sales side.

County Building Supplies was founded by Martin Rees and David Lloyd 16 years ago and has branches in St Andrew's Road, Malvern, Cheltenham and Evesham. At the core of its business is building supplies but it has successfully diversified into areas including the supply of coal and Calor gas.

Mr Rees described S B and D G as a "traditional business", saying County Building Supplies had no plans for radical changes.

Mr Drinkwater and Mr Sparrey will continue to operate their property management business under the S B and D G banner.