THE founder of the UK's leading lifting gear and winches specialist has retired, allowing his son to take the helm.

Atherton-based LGH Group plc, has announced the retirement of founder and executive chairman Bill Parkinson and the appointment of his son, Ian Parkinson, as successor.

The firm was set up by Bill Parkinson in 1970 as the country's first dedicated lifting equipment hire business.

It has since grown into an international business operating in the UK, US, Holland and Germany.

Bill's son is a long time employee of LGH who most recently occupied the position of operations director.

Ian said that LGH intends to make greater use of the companys IT capabilities. He said: "We are now the only independent specialist lifting engineers devoted to the hire, sales and service of lifting equipment with true nationwide branch coverage.

"I want to build our leading market position even further by developing our core businesses in both the UK and overseas by a combination of organic and acquisitive growth."