THREE apartment blocks in Arnside have been added to the client portfolio of a management company based in St Annes.

Homestead Consultancy Services now has Heathcliffe Court, Wood Close and Waters Edge - some 37 properties - on its books.

The firm says it is continuing to expand its management influence to complement its client base in Morecambe, Heysham, Lancaster and South Lakeland.

Managing director David Bentham told the Gazette he believes his company’s continuing growth is because of "the difficulty the man in the street is encountering in managing his own buildings as a result of legislation and consequent time demands".

Homesteads has taken on more than 350 properties since March this year and has been shortlisted for national awards.

Mr Bentham said: "We have several cases where our appointment has been cost-neutral when taking over from individuals who have been running their own developments.

"We bring economies of scale and savings from being able to bulk-buy services such as insurance, power and accountancy. In other cases we have been able to realise savings for owners in situations where we have been appointed after competitively tendering for management."