THE facilities management company Orian Solutions has taken over VS Cleaning, which is based in Wigton.

This deal sees another 20 people join the staff of the firm, which employs more than 1,200 people across the north of England.

It comes after another deal where the company took over South Lakes Services, an organisation which provides cleaning, laundry and maintenance services for holiday property owners in the Lake District. As a result of this acquisition, more than 150 people joined Orian.

Orian, based at Rosehill, Carlisle, provides food service, safety and cleaning operations in Cumbria and the north east.

Formerly part of Cumbria County Council, it was spun off as a stand-alone business in 2013. It remains wholly owned by the council but is now free of the restrictions that apply to local authorities and can compete for work in the private sector.

Andy Chant, Orian's finance director, said: “We’re delighted to welcome VS Cleaning to the Orian family of companies. This is a valuable addition to our services.

"The newly named North Lakes Services blends with and extends the services already provided by Orian and our subsidiary company South Lakes Services, which we acquired earlier this year.

He added: “We are keen to extend the services we can provide to local businesses and organisations across Cumbria and the North – it’s an exciting opportunity to offer more cleaning, linen hire, laundry and maintenance services across the area and will see us able to create more job opportunities too.”

Vera Sant, of VS Cleaning, said: “We’re extremely pleased Orian Solutions has acquired VS Cleaning. Orian is a local company with a strong heritage, but with great plans for the future.

"I’m pleased that the business I have built up will be in safe hands and I look forward to seeing it go from strength to strength.”