A BUILDING company said it anticipated a period of steady growth following a buyout.

Randall Orchard Construction, in Richmond, North Yorkshire, has been sold to Graeme Newton for an undisclosed sum.

The group, based at the Gallowfields Trading Estate, in Mercury Road, builds and renovates residential property, mainly in North York- shire, and has an annual turnover of £10m.

It specialises in barn conversions and has a long-standing relationship with a national developer, carrying out contract work building medical centres. Mr Newton, who has worked at the company for the past 18 years, said: "The company has seen substantial growth over the last two to three years.

"My strategy is to ensure that the business grows at a steady rate and maintains its position."

The group is working on seven residential sites and six medical centres. It is bidding for the contract to build two medical centres in Scarborough.

It has built six medical centres, including those in the Richmondshire villages of Leyburn, Colburn and Aldbrough St John.