THE boom in retail and leisure property will continue in 2003 according to Bury-based Kings Business Transfer -- whose own sales rose by 28 per cent last year.

Gerry Murphy, a partner with the property agents, said: "It was a record year for us and we are delighted with the results.

"The market in the North-west has proved extremely buoyant on the back of low interest rates and we anticipate 2003 will carry on in the same vein.

"There is a lot of confidence generally about the state of the commercial property market."

He said the results were also down to a lot of hard work from the staff. The company, established in 1994, specialises in the retail and leisure sectors. Mr Murphy said: "The market for traditional fish and chip shops was as solid as ever in 2002, while nurseries have proved increasingly popular.

"There was also a steady increase in the number of pubs sold. The year before foot and mouth had a negative effect, particularly for country pubs."