THE Aquasun Travel retail chain in Greater Manchester has been bought by independent travel agency group Travelcare for an undisclosed sum.

The branches -- in Bolton, Walkden, Middleton, Heywood and Littleborough -- will begin trading under the Travelcare name over the next month.

All 40 branch staff will transfer to the CWS-owned travel group which has a national network of 300 outlets.

The acquisition follows Travelcare's purchase of the Fylde-based Destinations travel chain and is in line with the group's strategy of expansion in towns where it is currently not represented.

Group General Manager Yvonne Rankin said the Aquasun branches would be refurbished using Travelcare's new identity -- unveiled recently as part of a £20 million development plan for the business over the next three years.

She added: "As with Destinations, we have purchased a thriving travel business with a committed staff team. It gives us strong foundations on which to build our reputation in five new locations."

Mr Geoff Bromilow, former owner of Aquasun Travel, said the five branches were "in good hands."

He added: "Travelcare will be able to offer both existing and potential customers many advantages not least of which will be a high standard of personal service and highly competitive prices."