ONE of the region's largest water garden centres has been bought by a commercial nursery.

Paddock Farm Water Gardens of West Lane, Dalton on Tees, near Croft, has been taken over by M and J Horticulture, just 250 metres away.

The 12 staff, full and part-time, have been retained by new owners Mark and Janet Binney, who see the acquisition as complementing their existing business.

Mr Binney said: "We will supply Paddock Farm with bedding, herbaceous and annual plants from the commercial nursery, and have plans in place to expand the water garden centre to make it even more attractive for customers and tourists."

The nursery and water garden centre takes up four acres of a 12-acre site and features large tanks of Koi carp and goldfish and an indoor aquarium with an extensive stock of tropical fish.

There is a range of outdoor ponds and indoor aquariums and accessories and a range of water features, including ten waterfalls, and a cafe.

Mr Binney said they are updating the tropical aquarium and had plans for an orchard where they would offer advice and training to help people with the pruning and nurturing of their fruit trees.

M and J Horticulture employs five staff who supply bedding plants to outlets throughout the UK. The Binneys have 22 years experience.

The water gardens can be contacted on 01325-378286 or at paddock-farm.co.uk.