Ridgeons has expanded its reach across the Eastern region with the launch of a branch in Hitchin, taking the group's merchant branch network to 26.

Hitchin is the third location for Ridgeons in Hertfordshire, joining the Sawbridgeworth branch, which was established in 1993, and the Royston branch, which opened in 2012.

Ridgeons' managing director Angela Rushforth said: "We already have a presence within the county, and this new location represents the group's commitment to helping our customers do business across the whole of the east of England. We are very much looking forward to bringing the Ridgeons experience to new customers, providing our high standards of service, and our unrivalled breadth and depth of quality stock, alongside our staff's expertise to the area."

The branch is open between 7am and 5pm from Monday to Friday, or between 8am and 12pm on Saturdays. It is located at 1 Knowl Piece, Wilbury Way, Hitchin, SG4 0TY.