Taber Holidays, based in Cleckheaton, has merged with Specialised Tours to form a company offering the largest range of Scandinavian packages.

The deal will see the new operation, which will retain the Taber Holidays brand, offering 125 holiday packages across Norway, Iceland, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Greenland.

The merger comes as Taber celebrates its 40th anniversary and after both companies enjoyed their busiest-ever winter season Margaret Scowen, of Specialised Tours, will work with Taber Holidays as a travel consultant to handle most of the tailor-made itineraries, except for those to Iceland and Greenland, which will continue to be handled by Taber’s own specialist, Terry Shaw.

The deal also brings Northern Lights’ photography tours into Taber’s portfolio for the first time.

Suzel Taber-Shaw, Taber Holidays managing director, said: “I am delighted to announce our merger with Specialised Tours – an extremely exciting and positive move for us both.

“This winter has been our busiest ever and, with such an increasing demand for tailor-made holidays and Scandinavia in general, we can between us offer an unrivalled product knowledge gained from a combined 70 years’ experience.

"In addition, by having two tailor-made specialists within the team, it will free up more time to explore new and unique products for our clients, while at the same time maintaining the highest degree of personal service.”