TUNBRIDGE Wells-based Baldwins Travel Group has acquired Sevenoaks Travel, giving the group an even firmer foundation in the West Kent travel agency business.

The deal, brokered by Pembury-based Meta Corporate Finance, will see Sevenoaks Travel's seven employees transfer immediately to the Baldwins Travel Group, although the Sevenoaks agency will continue to trade under its existing name.

Baldwins Travel, which has its headquarters in Tunbridge Wells and branches in Tonbridge and Maidstone, employs 46 people and has a turnover of £15m. The company is a member of the 900-strong Advantage Travel Centres network, as is Sevenoaks Travel.

Baldwins' managing director Ron Marks said: "We are delighted as Kent's leading independent travel agent to have acquired Sevenoaks Travel. The team is recognised as one of the best and most knowledgeable in the industry and we are pleased that they have joined our award-winning agencies."