A KENT recycling firm has been snapped up in an £81million deal.

Grosvenor Waste Management, based in Crayford and one of the largest materials recycling businesses in Europe, will become part of Viridor Waste Management.

Viridor's parent company Pennon Group said the move was in line with its strategy of expanding its waste management activities, particularly in the areas of resource management, waste treatment and disposal.

The Crayford plant processes around 400,000 tonnes of commingled paper, plastic, metals and glass each year. It is regarded as the largest and most efficient Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) in Europe.

Grosvenor also operates in Peterborough and has a large number of household, industrial and commercial waste collection and processing contracts.

The acquisition strengthens Viridor's presence in Kent, having bought Canterbury-based Brett Waste Management in 2005.

Grosvenor's Crayford, Peterborough and collection operations will be integrated into Viridor Waste's south eastern region. A new entity, Viridor Resource Management Ltd, will oversee all recyclate marketing for Viridor.

Mike Hellings, managing director of Viridor Waste Management, said: "The UK's waste strategies demand ever-increasing levels of recycling. Grosvenor has an excellent track record over recent years in leading the way in the recycling market.

"Their innovative and professional approach will fit very well with the Viridor culture, as demonstrated by their accreditations to quality, environmental management, and health and safety management systems."