WILSONS Pet Centres, the Worcestershire-based chain of pet care stores, has been taken over in a £5.3m deal.

Wynnstay, the national retail and agricultural supplies business, is now the store's new owner.

Wilsons first opened in Bromsgrove in 1993 and since then has built up a chain of 10 pet superstores, with branches in Evesham, Malvern, Worcester, Droitwich, Kidderminster, Northfield, Acocks Green, Stourbridge, Swadlincote and Bromsgrove.

Each store sells pet care products and provides services such as in-store pet grooming, pet behaviour courses and pet insurance.

Wilsons Pet Centres has 104 employees on a full-time basis.

Bernard Harris, managing director of Wynnstay, said: "We have been extending Wynnstay's existing retailing activities into the high growth area of pet care products for some time now and, following the launch in the summer of our own dedicated pet store format - Just for Pets, the acquisition of Wilsons Pet Centres is the next logical step.

"Wilsons Pet Centres is a long-established, well-run chain in the West Midlands, with a reputation for efficient and friendly customer service.

"I am very pleased too say that the senior management team at Wilsons Pet Centres will remain with the enlarged business, leading its development, and I believe there are exciting growth opportunities ahead of us."

Last year Wilsons Pet Centres generated revenue of £6.8m. The shops will be rebranded under Wynnstay's existing pet brand, Just for Pets, as part of the Wynnstay group.