Comments Managing Director Ian Wilson: "It puts us in the magic circle of big time letting agents. We expect to be completing 1,000 lettings each and every month by the middle of next year."

Established as a franchise in 1995 by the current Chairman Richard Martin, Martin & Co has 105 offices across the UK and Ireland with a new office opening on average every three weeks. Ian said Martin and Co was doubling in size every 18 months and aims to have 200 offices by 2010.

He adds: "We've got a proven track record and have big plans for 200 branded, fully staffed offices in just five years time."