A historic plumbing merchants which has remained a family business for more than 80 years has been sold.

Sutton Coldfield-based Bayliss & Co, which specialises in plumbing, heating, building and bathroom equipment, has been sold by the great-grandchildren of the founder. Brother and sister Cynthia Trafford Collins and Jonathan Trafford Harris, who were directors and shareholders of Bayliss, were the third generation of the family to have run the business since it was established in 1927.

The pair sold their shares in the business, which employs 10 staff on Gate Lane, Boldmere, to Mark Rowlands for an undisclosed amount.

John Primmer and Hitesh Punjani, corporate partners of Lichfield legal firm Keelys acted for the vendors on the sale, which was carried out in just eight weeks.

The business was refurbished and re-branded in December 2008 as part of plans to modernise the firm.

Mr Punjani said: “We were delighted to act for Cynthia and Jonathan in their disposal of a historical family business which has been providing a strong local service for more than 80 years.”