FAST-growing insurance brokers Martin and Pethard have made their third acquisition in a year.

The Church Green East company, the first insurance brokers to trade in Redditch, has acquired family firm David Vaughan Insurance Brokers, based in Knowle.

Since last summer the company has also acquired Macreadys of Redditch and Apex Insurance Consultants of Droitwich.

Martin and Pethard director Peter Westwood said: "We're delighted to welcome David Vaughan and his team into our business.

"With the addition of their client portfolio, we are already well on the way to doubling the size of the company in just 12 months.

"The pace of rationalisation within the insurance broking industry is speeding up and I am confident we will see many more opportunities for growth between now and the end of 2004."