Farm business advisers Andersons East have been acquired by Cheffins to provide a comprehensive consultancy on rural matters, to include restructuring, administration, planning and the purchase and sale of land.

Farm business advisers Andersons East have been acquired by Cheffins to provide a comprehensive consultancy on rural matters, to include restructuring, administration, planning

and the purchase and sale of land.

The seven-strong team, which is based at Manor Farm, Bridgham, near Thetford, and includes David Bolton and Peter Walker, is moving lock, stock and barrel to join Cheffins.

Michael Hamilton, who is chairman of the Cheffins' partnership, based in Cambridge, said; "This marriage of two long- established and widely respected businesses provides our clients with the widest selection of highly professional services to assist their rural businesses to achieve their full potential.

"David Bolton is an outstanding rural business adviser who has a national reputation. With his team of seven he joins one of the leading firms of surveyors, land agents and farm machinery experts.

"Cheffins at present provides advice to farm businesses on restructuring, diversification and development, and Andersons East complements our present business so as to provide a complete and comprehensive service on all rural matters.

"In addition, Cheffins has an international reputation for machinery sales both in Ely and Bristol, selling more than £35m worth of machinery each year to more than 100 countries worldwide."

Mr Bolton, who joined Andersons 12 years ago from Bidwells, said; "The new organisation we have created is unrivalled in the range of services it now provides to rural businesses.

"Given the difficulties facing farmers and estate owners a wide range of advice and support is required. Over the past five years I have found it increasingly difficult to find other professional advisers who can give our clients the level of service needed in restructuring their businesses. By merging with Cheffins I now have trusted colleagues who are among the best experts in their disciplines.

"The decoupled Single Payment Scheme will cause farmers' businesses to change. Now, when clients need to get advice on alternative commercial or residential uses, planning applications, value, buying or selling land, as well as traditional farm business enhancement, all the key advisers will be under one roof."

Cheffins has 120 partners and staff in a network of six offices. The acquisition of the business of Andersons East sees further expansion and development by Cheffins as a practice, which in recent years has included a new fine art saleroom and a purpose built machinery sale

ground at Sutton, near Ely, as well as the establishment of specialist commercial property and planning departments.