A family-owned farm that has been producing premium salad crops since the 1930s is being taken over by a neighbouring farm business.

Laurence J Betts Ltd from West Malling has been acquired by the Regan family who are already the owners of both Hugh Lowe Farms Ltd, a noted soft fruit grower, and of Blaise Plants Ltd, a plant propagator.

Stephen Betts will step down as managing director of LJ Betts after 45 years at the helm, but will continue in a consultancy role with the new owners.

He said: “It has been an honour following in the footsteps of my father, Stewart, and my grandfather, Laurence, to build on their foundations centred on growing top quality produce while using good farming practice and treating staff and customers with respect.”

LJ Betts’ fields of colourful salad crops are a noticable and much appreciated feature of the countryside around their base at Church Farm in Church Road.

There will still be a family connection to the new owners.

Mr Betts’ cousin Marion is the wife of Jon Regan who will become the new board chairman of LJ Betts.

Marion will become the new managing director.

She said: “We are delighted to continue operating this superb fresh produce business, which we have known and admired for many years.

“Together with the excellent and skilled team at LJ Betts we aim to grow sustainably into the next generation, sharing the same values that have stood the test of time at Hugh Lowe Farms.

“We look forward to meeting LJ Betts’ valued customers and continuing to supply them with our wide range of fresh and flavoursome salads throughout the year.”

Jon said: “There are many synergies between our berry growing and LJ Betts’ salad business. We have an exciting future ahead.”

Mereworth-based Hugh Lowes Farm is perhaps best known for supplying the strawberries consumed at the Wimbledon tennis tournament each year.

It also grows strawberries, raspberries and blackberries for many leading supermarkets.