Estate agency group Connells has announced it has bought Hockleys, a surveying firm, from Norwich & Peterborough Building Society.

Connells already has a survey and valuation arm which it has expanded this year but the new purchase comes with an exclusive five-year panel management contract with Norwich & Peterborough, granting the firm the right to conduct all their valuations.

David Livesey, group director of Connells, said: "Hockleys is a thriving business with an ambitious team and significant potential. We now have two great surveying businesses with over 300 chartered surveyors across the group.

"We are now ideally placed to increase our overall capacity in the market significantly and further enhance service delivery to our partner clients."

The chain, which has 500 offices across the UK, has acquired a number of firms this year, including Sequence and Sharman Quinney estate agents.

Many agents have interest in surveying, allowing them to broaden the reach of their business and generate greater revenues.

Among firms that have chosen this path are Strutt & Parker, Barbers and Peter Reglar.