TWO top names in the field of jigsaw puzzles have come together with the purchase of one by the other.

Gordon and Joan McGee of James Hamilton Ltd have decided to retire and they have sold their company to Julie Wilkins and Brian Knight of Grovely Jigsaw Puzzles Ltd of Amesbury.

The new company is called James Hamilton Grovely Puzzles Ltd.

James Hamilton Ltd had been in business since 1983 and Grovely Jigsaw Puzzles was founded at Dinton Business Park in 1997 with an acorn logo, reflecting the oaks that grow in Grovely Wood at nearby Wilton.

It moved to the Boscombe Centre in Mills Way, Amesbury in 2001.

Both companies have specialised in nature and wildlife puzzles, and the range includes 1,500-, 1,000- and 500-piece jigsaws for adults and the 70-piece Eye-Spy range for children.

They are sold at zoos, wildlife parks and shops, distributed to conservation groups such as the RSPB, and sold by mail order.

One of the outlets locally is Wilton House Garden Centre.

Ms Wilkins, a former bank manager who worked for Mr McGee before starting up her company with Mr Knight, said the company sells its puzzles nationwide and exports to Germany, Holland, France, Sweden, Switzerland, Austria and the United States.

She and Mr Knight choose the picture, it is printed in Hampshire and then goes to Northamptonshire for the jigsaw to be made up, boxed and returned.

"We have taken on James Hamilton's range, so we now have 96 in the range," she said.

"Jigsaws are very popular they are therapeutic.

"Older people find jigsaws help keep their brains active and retain the use of their hands, and they feel they are doing something, as opposed to just watching TV.

"Our main market is older people, but we have the Eye-Spy series for children and these jigsaws help with co-ordination and sequencing."

She added: "We are pleased to have been able to carry on the James Hamilton range because it is so well known.

"We needed to expand our business and this was an ideal opportunity.

"We want to attack the United States market now and are looking for a part-time office administrator to help us in the office."