Two Norwich-based office equipment rivals are to join forces after a buyout.

Mayday Integrated Office Systems has taken over its city rival, EAC Document Solutions, whose founders have decided to retire.

The acquisition of family-owned EAC sees Mayday take on a 300-strong customer base and takes the firm's combined turnover to �3m with more than 1,000 customers.

Mayday managing director, David Hoy and sales director Graham Cassie will now head up the joint business.

EAC, based on Drayton Industrial Estate, was established 23 years ago by Eddie and Lynn Cooper, business rivals of Mayday, but also friends of the firm.

'Both Graham Cassie and I used to work together as salesmen with Eddie over three decades ago and we have kept in touch ever since,' said Mr Hoy.

'Mayday was set up over 30 years ago and both companies have a first-class reputation in the East Anglian business community.

'When Eddie told us he and Lynn had decided to retire, it seemed a natural progression for us to buy the business.'

EAC specialise in photocopiers, printers and document management.

Mayday's head office is at Diamond Road in Norwich, but it also has an office in Ipswich.

It sells a wide range of office products and IT hardware as well as having a full maintenance programme.

It also runs a complete office design service. Customers include The UK Holiday Group and the John Innes Institute and a number of East Anglian law firms.

The purchase of EAC, which took effect on October 1, will also bring new brands to Mayday's existing customers.

'We have a nationwide customer database which extends from Aberdeen to Guernsey,' said Mr Hoy.

'We are looking forward to working with our new customers who will continue to enjoy the high level of service they have been accustomed to from Eddie and his team.'