CARLISLE family firm Denton Tyre Centre has been taken over.

All three of the company's outlets - two in the city and one in Dumfries - have been bought by Winchester-based Micheldever Tyre Service.

It is Micheldever's third acquisition in Cumbria, following recent moves into Penrith and Workington.

The business will become a part of Micheldever's Protyre retail division but it is understood that the operation will continue to trade under the name Denton Tyre Centre.

The centres fit more than 100,000 tyres every year and specialise in services for cars, vans, 4x4s, agricultural and commercial vehicles.

Denton was set up more than 30 years ago in Denton Holme and has an outlet in Sheffield Street.

It grew over the years to include two more operations, which are in Parkhilll Road, Kingstown, which opened in 1998 and another in Annan Road in Dumfries, which opened in 2007.

The firm was well-known in the local community and sponsored the under-12s team of Denton Holme FC.

It has been owned by the Jardine family. Directors Bill, Ann, Graham and Adele Jardine have all left the firm.

The business will still be run by a member of the family, however, as Anthony Jardine becomes general manager.

Protyre also runs Harold's Tyres in Gilwilly Road, Penrith, and has an outlet on Clay Street, Workington.

The Dumfries centre becomes Protyre's first venture in Scotland.

Simon Hiorns, retail director at Micheldever, said: “Just over 18 months ago, we set ourselves ambitious growth targets to expand the network.

"The addition of Denton Tyre Centre brings the size of the Protyre network to 98 centres. This clearly demonstrates our ability to deliver on our drive for growth and the strength of the Protyre brand.

“The additional benefits from this deal, along with recent acquisitions in Penrith and Workington, means Protyre now has a business of significant scale in the north west of England, which will also deliver benefits to commercial and car fleet operators, as well as to Micheldever’s vehicle maintenance agreement customers.”