Rental group Speedy Hire has sealed a deal to buy building merchant Jewson's stand-alone hire branches.

The £13.5m bid for the 37 outlets was completed last week, and strengthens Speedy Hire's presence in the south, bringing its total number of stores to more than 250.

Bosses at Speedy, which has branches in Osney Mead, Oxford, and Banbury, said the acquired branches would be fully integrated into Speedy Hire's existing network.

Speedy Hire chairman David Wallis said: "The acquisition of Jewson's stand-alone hire operations is in line with Speedy Hire's strategy of being a significant player in its chosen markets and expands our network to over 250 branches throughout the UK.

"The transaction improves our coverage in the south west and substantially increases our market share in London and the south east."

Jewson has branches in Botley Road, Oxford, and Beaumont Road, Banbury.

Mr Wallis said the extra sites would enable the group to provide a better service to major contractors, who were increasingly seeking to obtain their tool hire requirements from a single source.