SOUTH Lakeland entrepreneur John Morphet has expanded his European leisure empire by reaching agreement to acquire a holiday development in Poland in a deal worth £2.5m.

The acquisition by Mr Morphet's company, South Lakeland Caravans, is the second on the continent this year.

In March he bought the Marbella Gun and Country Club in a £1.6 million deal.

The park in Poland comprises a 106-acre lake front development in an area 20 miles from Warsaw known as the Polish lake district.

Work will start this year on creating a leisure park with nearly 400 timber lodges. The park already has a marina with 100 boat moorings.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to enter a new market," says Mr Morphet.

"The facility is considerably under developed but is in a fabulous location enjoying the best of the summer sun as well as access to the winter ski slopes.

"There is an increasing appetite for second-home ownership in Poland and we are confident that by creating a quality leisure amenity we will drive demand for holiday homes there."

Last year Mr Morphet made his mark in the international leisure arena with his $100 million acquisition of the Royal Westmoreland in Barbados, an exclusive 500-acre millionaire's playground with 18-hole championship golf course surrounded by luxury homes.