A sportswear manufacturer that supplied socks to the first team to climb Mount Everest in 1952 has been bought by three of its managers for an undisclosed sum.

A sportswear manufacturer that supplied socks to the first team to climb Mount Everest in 1952 has been bought by three of its managers for an undisclosed sum.

Wakefield-based Star Sportswear was sold by the Archbell family, who have owned the business since 1916. The company was bought by new managing director Doug Bedford, sales and marketing director Shane Bray and head of finance Alastair Harries.

The deal was backed by Kenmore Private Equity with Yorkshire Bank providing acquisition finance. The bank, which was led by Kevin Hambling and John Bullock, also provided working capital.

Star Sportswear, which employs 100 people and has an annual turnover of £11 million, sells training wear, playing kit and accessories under its Prostar brand.