AN ESTATE agent in Ambleside is bowing out of the market by putting its own business up for sale.

A spokesman for The Halifax said it was a "commercial decision" to try to sell the town's Halifax Property Services branch on Lake Road "as a going concern".

It had no bearing on other branches in the area, she stressed, adding: "Hopefully the staff will be able to stay in place, but until we have an offer we can't give any more information."

The existing Link cash machine may also remain, depending on any future buyer's plans.

The news comes a week after The Halifax confirmed its withdrawal of banking counter facilities from HPS branches in Ambleside and Windermere.