A hi-tech firm in south Oxfordshire has been taken over — by the sons of its owners.

Halarose in Woodcote has undergone a management buy-out with Christoper and Carol Quinton handing over the reins to sons Thomas and William along with long-serving employee Alan Mok.

Christopher Quinton said: "I had approaches from three different multi-nationals but I really wanted to keep the business in the family."

Established 30 years ago, Halarose provides electoral software and services to more than 70 local authorities in the UK. The Quintons bought it in 1988 as a loss making business and now it has a turnover of £1.2m a year.

Managing director William Quinton said: "Our business model has always been to focus on the personal touch.

"Keeping the business in the family was important to all of us and is the key to our success."

Christoper Quinton, 59, has been a major figure in the county's business community and across the country, having been chairman of the Oxfordshire Chamber of Commerce before eventually becoming deputy president of the British Chambers of Commerce until last year.

A serial entrepreneur, last year he set up a new company, Quincom, based a the Windrush Innovation Centre, Howbery Park, Wallingford.

Quincom specialises in taking a wide range of ideas and inventions and developing them to bring to market.

He added: "It's very innovative and great fun."