NATWEST Commercial Banking has provided a financial package to Godshill company Sandy Balls Estate, enabling it to continue its improvement and development plans.

Sandy Balls has been in the same family ownership since 1919 and has been operating as a holiday centre since the 1930s.

The centre provides a range of facilities from quality pine lodges through to holiday homes, touring and camping pitches, a leisure complex, pub and restaurant.

It has a five-star national grading and is a regular winner of awards including the Rose Award, English Tourism Awards and David Bellamy Conservation Awards.

For 80 years Sandy Balls had banked with the same financial service provider until transferring all banking facilities to NatWest.

NatWest, part of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group, says that "understanding the customer's business challenges and requirements was critical" in the approach it adopted in seeking to win Sandy Balls as a customer through a competitive tender process.

It has also provided a flexible facility that will assist in the development of the site.

Future expansion plans are currently being discussed between the two parties.

Graham Renshaw, relationship manager at NatWest in Salisbury, said: "We were delighted to be able to provide Sandy Balls Estate with a flexible and comprehensive financial package which has enabled them to continue concentrating on expanding their business whilst streamlining costs."

Andrew Howe, managing director of Sandy Balls Estate, said: "Although a financial saving was a major attraction in moving to NatWest, it was the willingness of Graham and his team to really think about our business and provide a package of products and services aimed specifically at us that convinced us to take this step.

"We look forward to continuing to build a strong banking relationship with them."