ESTATE agent Humberts say it has expanded its expertise in the Lake District by appointing regional manager Gerry Mahoney, who was born and bred in the Lakes.

The company is replacing its high street offices with seven hi-tech regional hubs, from where property consultants will serve more extensive catchment areas.

Gerry is based at Humberts' rural offices at Low Cleabarrow Business Park, Windermere, and has spent more than 30 years in the local holiday rental and property industry.

She is working alongside new base team executive Kerry Sherlock and property concierge Chris Gough to offer services including holiday lettings, planning, removals, furnishing and maintenance.

Humberts also has hubs operating in the Cotswolds, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Kent and Sussex, and Cheshire.

The company says these are reporting a profitable first four months of trading under the company’s new ownership, as well as "demonstrating their place in the market as trailblazers of a new estate agency culture".

Gerry said: "My team and I are really excited to be working alongside our existing and new Humberts clients throughout the Lakes and delivering a superb lifestyle and property management service in addition to the usual transactions of buying and selling."

Matt Spence, CEO of Humbers, said: "We are moving into a new era where customers will enjoy working with their Humberts property consultant. For the most part, the UK market dreads interaction with their estate agent due to historic inefficiency and we are proud Humberts is changing that."