Regional publisher Archant has taken full ownership of the company which runs group-buying deals website Tickles.co.uk and travel deals website 40Winks.co.uk after buying the remaining 50pc.

The sites, which operate in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, were launched in May 2010 and Archant acquired half of the business in December that year.

Since then, Archant has helped boost membership of Tickles from 20,000 to 116,000, giving its customers daily discounts on a product or service if a minimum number of people agree to buy it within a limited time period.

Archant chief executive, Adrian Jeakings, said: “We are delighted to have now taken full ownership of Tickles and 40Winks. We have plans to grow the business further and look forward to future developments.” The terms of the deal were not disclosed.