A vintage bus and coach restoration company has merged with an historic engraving firm.

Family-owned South East Coachworks, the oldest coachbuilder in Faversham, has joined forces with Canterbury-based Gordon Engraving.

The deal combines the restoration and conversion work of the coachworks with the signwriting and laser cutting abilities of its new company.

Gordon Engraving was established in 1968 by John Gordon but was bought by Charles Gunther two years later, who ran it until he died in December 2009.

The firm and its eight staff will carry on trading as usual, led by Mr Gunther’s son William and co-director Ian Banks.

The merger was the second for South East Coachworks in 12 months, after acquiring Faversham-based van repairer C&D Fabrications, saving two jobs.