DEVELOPMENTS firm S Harrison Group has sold its construction arm to builder Rok.

The North Yorkshire-based company has off-loaded S Harrison Construction so it can concentrate on development projects worth more than £100m.

Rok said the acquisition was an important step in the growth of its northern operation and will maintain the division's base at Malton.

Martyn Harrison, chairman of S Harrison Group, which has traded in North Yorkshire since 1952, said: "With a relatively small senior team, we've faced the growing challenge of managing two separate and expanding businesses.

"The risk was always that we would eventually compromise the scope for both businesses unless we focused on either one or the other. In Rok we genuinely believe we have found the right team to take the construction business forward."

Garvis Snook, chief executive of Rok, said: "We are delighted that such a high quality business as Harrison has chosen to join Rok. This acquisition will further enhance Rok's operations in Yorkshire."