Tamworth- based Shire Leasing is the fastest growing firm in the Midlands, according to a new survey of top 100 privately-owned companies.

The business has seen annual sales increase by 159 per cent - from £ 3 . 1 million to £53.4 million in the last four years - placing it 11th fastest in the UK overall.

Alan Rutherford, managing director of the firm which brokers around 1,000 office equipment deals each month, said the increase had been partly due to the five year development of an online brokering system.

He said: "We have managed to combine hi-tech equipment with a personal service and I think this has been the secret to our success.

"I am very pleased with how the company has developed.

" And long may it continue!"

Mr Rutherford, who has been managing director at the firm for the past seven months, said the company planned to carry on expanding profitably but had no plans at present to expand geographically.

Other regional companies in the Real Business/ LDC Hot 100 league table of growth, included Leicester-based tax advisor Qdos Consulting and Burntwood based Busy Bees Nurseries.

The list - now in its eight year- included a number of household names, such as smoothie maker Innocent, Sit-up TV and Bourne Leisure, operator of the Butlins holiday parks.