An international engineering services firm has strengthened its hold on the oil, gas and process markets by snapping up a rival.

Amec has bought Wrights Engineering (UK) Ltd which provides repair and refurbishment services for bulk storage tanks for the UK refinery market.

Wrights, based in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, has an annual turnover of £5m and employs approximately 130 staff.

The business will now be integrated into Amec's shutdown and maintenance division which is managed from Darlington, County Durham.

Amec employs more than 700 workers in the town.

Rob Wright, managing director of Wrights, will transfer to Darlington to lead the integration of the business into its new owner.

The new acquistion, for an undisclosed sum, is expected to considerably strengthen Amec's large bulk storage tanks services.

Dave Winskill, operations director of Amec's shutdown and maintenance business, said: "Engineering services are a key aspect of Amec's portfolio of added-value work for the oil, gas and petrochemicals industry.

"The acquisition of Wrights is an excellent fit with our existing business and will allow us to provide a more comprehensive and responsive service to our clients."

Overall, Amec generates revenues of some £5.5bn and works at the local, national and international levels, employing 50,000 people throughout the UK, continental Europe, North America and some 40 countries worldwide.