A long-established holiday cottage agency is under new ownership.

Lyme Bay Holidays has been acquired by leading operator, Sykes Holiday Cottages.

The award-winning, family-run company will operate as a sister agency to Sykes from its office in Uplyme Road, Lyme Regis.

The business was established 40 years ago with the Matthews family at the helm since 1999.

It manages more than 330 holiday homes throughout Dorset and Devon and employs 20 people.

All will remain in post.

Graham Donoghue, Chief Executive of Sykes Holiday Cottages, pictured left, said: “It’s important to offer a local service with on-the-ground expertise.

“Partnering with agencies like Lyme Bay Holidays allows us to do just that.

“By utilising our market-leading technology and making these holiday homes available to Sykes customers, we’ll help Lyme Bay’s property owners reap the rewards of the growing staycation trend with year-round bookings.

“With the support of our regional sister companies, we’re now the trusted custodian of 22,000 holiday properties throughout the UK and Ireland.

“Two million travellers holiday with us each year.”

Ben Matthews, Managing Director, Lyme Bay Holidays, added: “The deal represents a new chapter for the business.

“I know with Sykes’ support we’ll be able to build on the company’s huge success over the past four decades.

“We knew as soon as we met the Sykes team that it was the right fit for us.

“I look forward to working together to promote holidays within Dorset and Devon, bringing all-important tourists to the region.”

Founded 30 years ago, Sykes is one of the UK’s best-known travel brands with more than 22,000 properties available to book across the UK, Ireland, and New Zealand.

It has won the British Travel Award for Best Large Holiday Cottage Booking Company for eight consecutive years.

Sykes Holiday Cottages was advised by Springboard Corporate Finance and Hill Dickinson LLP.