Swindon-based Cellular Operations Ltd has been bought out by Vodaphone UK Limited for an undisclosed sum.

The firm, which provides mobile airtime services to more than half a million mobile phone users, currently employs more than 500 staff.

Vodaphone has said it will be "business as usual" at the Hillmead plant, although a detailed review of the business will be undertaken, the results of which should be made known by early May.

The company, which earlier last year helped BT Cellnet relaunch itself as O2, refused to comment on the buyout or its implications for the workforce.

Stephen Brewer, managing director for Vodafone Sales and Distribution, commented on the mobile phone giant's latest acquisition by saying: "The economics of our industry are rapidly changing and this is one of the moves that we are making in the market as part of our distribution strategy that is designed to build an even closer relationship with our customers."

See Friday's Evening Advertiser for the full story.

Jeremy Smith