Skipton-based firm Dales Holiday Cottages has been sold to industry giant Hoseasons for an undisclosed sum.

The company was founded by Stephen Lodge and is the sixth biggest cottage rental agency in the UK with 600 properties on its books stretching from the Lake District across the Dales.

Mr Lodge, 58, said he decided to sell his business after a serious accident when a tree he was felling fell on top of him.

He took several months off work but had already decided to step back from business.

"It focuses the mind somewhat. I decided when I was under the tree that I was going to sell the business and spend more time fishing and golfing," he said.

Mr Lodge has also announced that he is selling his stake in the Wilman and Lodge estate agency to his business partner Andrew Riley. He will now concentrate on managing his portfolio of residential and commercial property.

Dales Holiday Cottages was founded in 1982. Mr Lodge said that at the time he had a holiday cottage and was paying exorbitant agent's fees. He knew many people in the same situation and decided to set up his own agency charging lower fees. He said that it had taken a lot of hard work to build up the business.

Mr Lodge said he had chosen to sell to Hoseasons, rather than another firm for more money, because it "wanted to keep the business intact". All of the staff have been retained at the office on Carleton Business Park, Skipton.

Hoseasons, based in Lowestoft, is the biggest provider of boating holidays in the UK. Tim Fullam, marketing director, said the acquisition of Dales Holiday Cottages was an important one for his company.

"We've been on the look out for quality regional agencies in the best honeypot areas of the country. We've got the best agency in the area. One of the special reasons is that they have very strong relationships with local people ," said Mr Fullam, who added that Dales Holiday Cottages would continue to be "autonomously run" from Skipton.

This is the second major takeover of a Craven holiday cottage company this year. Welcome Holidays of Embsay was bought by Holiday Character Cottages of Earby.