Colchester wine merchants Lay and Wheeler have announced it is expanding into the worldwide market.

The 135-year-old family-run company has bought out historic West Country wine merchants Howells of Bristol for an undisclosed sum.

The move will allow it to take over Howells' customers. The firm has strong links with the Far and Middle East and Australasia.

Many businessmen and ex-patriots living in 78 countries around the world use Howells to stock up their cellars and now they will be dealing with the Colchester firm.

Lay and Wheeler's executive chairman, Richard Wheeler, said the jobs of Howells' 13 employees were safe for the foreseeable future.

He said: "We intend to continue running it as a stand alone company.

"We are expanding again and it is leading us into this export market which is very exciting. It gives us a firm base to grow."

The deal was signed last week after months of negotiations. The name Howells will stay with the business.

Howells was founded in 1785 and is one of the oldest surviving wine merchants in the UK.

It also set up a groundbreaking Bin Club service creating wine cellars for customers to enjoy several years later.

Managing director Johnny Wheeler said: "Howells of Bristol has considerable experience in selecting fine wines for its customers many of whom are English ex-patriots living abroad.

"We intend to use its strong identity into the growing Asian markets including Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Japan and ultimately China."

Lay and Wheeler announced at the end of last year it had bought Clayein vineyard in New Zealand.

The company's interests also include La Grande Marque wine bars in London and the Pier at Harwich restaurant.

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