LEISURE group J&M is still on the acquisitions trail after buying NE Leisure Limited for a six-figure sum.

John Watson formed J&M Leisure to acquire three private members' snooker clubs in the region.

Mr Watson, along with his wife, Marita, now owns three Supasnooker clubs in Consett and Stanley, both County Durham, and Wallsend, North Tyneside.

He received financial backing from Barclays Bank, which also advised him on the deal, along with law firm Dickinson Dees.

Mr Watson, managing director of J&M Leisure, which is based in Stanley, said: "We are delighted with the acquisition of the three snooker clubs - we have plans to expand the company's portfolio of leisure-based businesses over the coming months and we expect to go on the acquisition trail."

Dickinson Dees lawyer Iain Pritty, a senior solicitor in the firm's corporate practice, brokered the deal earlier this month, providing advice on the fundraising, and on the acquisition.

Mr Pritty said: "We act for a number of small and medium-sized enterprises in the region and were pleased to be instructed by J&M Leisure on its acquisition.

"It has a sound business plan and we are sure it will go from strength to strength.

"The region's small and medium-sized businesses play a crucial role in the local economy and it is great to see companies like this expanding and looking to the future with confidence."

Mr Watson, a former building company boss, moved into the leisure industry because of his love of snooker.

He said: "It's certainly a warmer business than building, particularly in the cold weather this winter.

"I have played snooker for a number of years and always wanted to run my own club."

Mrs Watson also runs a successful catering business and plans to use that to supply food at his leisure venues.