LEISURE sector magnate John Morphet has acquired an exclusive resort in the Caribbean, said to be a millionaires' playground, in a deal worth 100 million US dollars.

The millionaire boss of South Lakeland Carvans plans to further develop the 500-acre site in Barbados, aptly-named the Royal Westmoreland Resort, which features an 18-hole championship golf course.

Top golfer Ian Woosnam and ex-Wimbledon tennis champion Virginia Wade are among the celebrities with homes at the complex, where properties range in price from $1 million to $10 million.

Some of the world's top golfers regularly play at the Royal Westmoreland - situated on the west coast of the Caribbean paradise island -which has hosted the Barbados European Seniors event for the past four years.

The estate, which has 122 luxury homes set in landscaped gardens around the golf course, was developed in 1994 by Yorkshireman Bill Rooney.

Mr Morphet, who as managing director of South Lakeland Caravans is a leading player in the UK holiday park market, described the latest acquisition as a "very exciting" development for the business.

"When we came across the Royal Westmoreland, we recognised that it had tremendous potential at the prestigious end of the leisure market. We will undoubtedly be looking out for similar quality acquisitions in the future."

Mr Morphet said South Lakeland Caravans had driven up the quality at all its UK holiday parks, which include White Cross Bay Leisure Park and Marina at Windermere.

"Where appropriate, we have introduced luxury pine lodges, moving the leisure park to a new level.

"At the Royal Westmoreland, we have plans to develop more than 100 luxury homes while maintaining the exclusivity of this prestigious playground for the seriously wealthy."

South Lakeland Caravans, which has its head office in Carnforth, has seen phenomenal expansion in recent years, growing from a single holiday park in 1988 to a £25 million turnover business, with 14 pine lodge and caravan parks in the Lake District, Morecambe Bay, North Wales and Spain. Profits doubled last year to £8 million.

A multi-million pound finance package to assist the Barbados acquisition was arranged by finance teams at HSBC and the Royal Bank of Scotland.

David Caunce of RBS said: "We have had a long and highly satisfactory relationship with John Morphet over many years and have witnessed his businesses go from strength to strength.

"We were delighted to work together again to assist with this prestigious acquisition."

l Former Scotland international and current Blackpool FC manager Colin Hendry earlier this month opened a new £1.7 million state-of-the-art health and beauty centre at South Lakeland Leisure Village, in Carnforth, which is owned by Mr Morphet's company.