A BUSINESS owner who hails from the Vale is celebrating after his public relations agency merged with two leading creative agencies.

Pic PR, owned by David Barrett, a former St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School student originally from Harvington, came together with Journey, a digital marketing company and Cheeky Sparrow, a content and copywriting business.

The three companies will fall under the umbrella brand Creative Network and will be based just outside Cheltenham.

Simon Bullingham, founder and group managing director of Creative Network, said: "Each agency is independent and has their own brand, expertise and clients, but we are all part of the same group and form one creative hub."

Mr Barrett, managing director of Pic PR, said: "I’ve known Simon on and off for a number of years now. We’ve been talking for a long time about hooking up, and working together, and I’m delighted it’s all become official. I’ve always been a big fan of his agency’s work, and have always admired their ambition."