A HARDEN garden centre is under new ownership – with a pledge of investment.

Stephen H Smith's premises in the village – together with its Otley site – have been taken over by the YGC Group, parent company of Tong Garden Centre.

All 100 Stephen H Smith staff have transferred to the group.

Mark Farnsworth, YGC Group managing director, said: "We are delighted to take on the Stephen H Smith sites.

"The business has a proud history. We are very grateful for the opportunity to run these two great garden centres, and we hope we can retain and enhance their reputation in the coming years.

"We plan to invest in both sites to help them thrive."

Christopher Smith, partner in Stephen H Smith, said: "I'd like to thank our teams for all their hard work over the years. I am confident we are leaving the business in very good hands."