The deal will see founder John Stobbart, continue to lead the business he set up 25 years ago.

Stobbarts turned over £27m last year and employs 300 staff across a range activities.

The firm recently pulled off a major work coup beating off competition from a host of multi-national companies to win a £58m mutli-service contract at the Sellafield nuclear site.

Under the deal it will provide a range of services including civil engineering mechanical and design services, plant and lifting equipment hire and provision of mobile crane and rigging services.

Stobbart said: “This is a tremendous development for us, enabling us to diversify and give our talented employees the chance to grow their careers.”

He added: “I was approached by a number of companies who were interested in the business but Jacobs was the best fit.

“Jacobs’ philosophy of partnering with clients to develop long-term relationships mirrors our own – as such, they represent an ideal business to be a part of moving forward.”