THE H&H Group has opened a new office at Middleton in Teesdale auction mart.

H&H Land and Property and H&H Insurance Brokers are based in the mart's Aspire Building and will open during all key mart sale dates and for pre-arranged appointments on a request basis.

Headed by director David Quayle, H&H Land and Property, will offer a complete range of agri-business, environmental, property and renewables services. The team includes Tim Sedgewick, Thomas Armstrong and Mark Barrow.

Mr Quayle said: "Middleton is an area we have seen an increasing demand for our specialist services. The mart is the perfect base for both parties, however it is particularly appropriate for the farmers, landowners and the wider rural community in this area, as they will no longer need to travel out of the area to seek professional advice."

The office will be shared by H&H Insurance Brokers and in-Livestock - the company’s pedigree insurance livestock division – who will provide a range of rural, commercial, personal cover and specialist insurance in addition to their new specialist livestock division.

Philip Pagin, heading up the insurance team at Middleton, said: "It seemed like a natural move to the Middleton Mart, with the creation of our new in-Livestock division, and our experience in the farming and commercial sectors.

"What we offer is designed to fully protect your business and is bespoke to each individual client. As we now have a Middleton base it means we can keep rates competitive for local people and discuss their requirements on their doorstep.”

His team includes Thom Jones and Carol Rickerby.

H&H Land and Property at Middleton can be contacted on 01833 640388 and H&H Insurance Brokers on 01833 641022.