A wealth management firm long associated with Gloucestershire County Cricket Club's annual Cheltenham festival has revealed its recent expansion plan.

Brewin Dolphin, which sponsored the annual cricket extravaganza for many years before handing over the reigns to Fergal O'Brien Racing, still has offices in St James' Square in the spa town.

It has just announced the completion of a €44million (euro) acquisition of Investec's Irish wealth management business.

Investec, which also has UK offices in Cheltenham - in Festival House, Jessop Ave - sees its Irish operations become part of what is now one of Ireland's most powerful wealth management firms.

David Nicol, chief executive of Brewin Dolphin, said: "Completing this acquisition substantially increases our presence in one of Europe's fastest growing economies and the combined business will make us the third largest wealth management business in the Republic of Ireland with total funds under management of €4.8bn as at September 30."

The firm has offices in Cork and Dublin.

Gloucestershire County Cricket Club's annual festival is now called the Fergal O'Brien Cheltenham Cricket Festival. Fergal O'Brien Racing is described as one of the Cotswolds' leading National Hunt yards and has enjoyed no little success at the famous Prestubury course.