The future of a Great Yarmouth business and its 250 employees has been secured following a multi-million pound buyout.

Eastern Daily Press: Graham Hacon from the 3sun group. Picture: ArchantGraham Hacon from the 3sun group. Picture: Archant

The future of a Great Yarmouth business and its 250 employees has been secured following a multi-million pound buyout.

3sun has been sold to Australian engineering company Worley for a deal in excess of £20m.

3sun is an offshore wind energy installation, operations and maintenance specialist which was launched by founder Graham Hacon 12 years ago.

The move will provide 3sun with the backing to expand its current UK market share of 25%, as well as presenting international opportunities for growth into territories such as Taiwan and the US.

Eastern Daily Press: Graham Hacon, 3Sun chief executive, with Michael Montgomery, 40, the first career-switch technicians to join 3sun Group. Picture: James BassGraham Hacon, 3Sun chief executive, with Michael Montgomery, 40, the first career-switch technicians to join 3sun Group. Picture: James Bass (Image: James Bass)

MORE: Women's fashion retailer closes in city centre Mr Hacon launched the company in Gorleston and named it 3sun because he had three sons, and wanted to build his business as a future for them.

He said: "We are delighted to join Worley as it sets the industry pace for high quality services in the sector. Our combined expertise promises to offer the offshore wind industry an integrated offering on a global scale, which is hugely exciting for all of us.

"In the coming months we will explore how we can leverage Worley's growing presence in offshore wind and start to identify areas where we can add further value to our customers as a result of the acquisition."

Eoghan Quinn, Worley's global offshore wind lead, added: "Growing our offering through enhanced O&M services has been a long-term aim and is a fundamental pillar of our expanding offshore wind capabilities.

Eastern Daily Press: Power has started to flow from East Anglia One, a wind farm off the region's coast. Picture: Rob Howarth.Power has started to flow from East Anglia One, a wind farm off the region's coast. Picture: Rob Howarth. (Image: www.robhowarthphotography.co.uk)

"By adding 3sun's skills and experience in offshore wind to our own existing global capabilities in the sector, we are ideally placed to continue our support to emerging markets such as Asia and the US, as well as continuing to add value in more mature markets like Europe."

The news has been celebrated by Great Yarmouth's Conservative MP, Brandon Lewis.

Mr Lewis said: "Graham Hacon and 3sun are a true Great Yarmouth success story. They are a brilliant demonstration of the economic potential of the North Sea Energy Industry.

"I am hopeful that this development will help 3sun to continue growing and therefore create more good quality jobs in Great Yarmouth."