A 32-year-old Chorley barrister has become one of the youngest female judges in the country.

Charlotte Hughes-Deane works from Liverpool’s Atlantic Chambers where she specialises in chancery and commercial law with a particular interest in wills and disputes over the inheritance.

Mrs Hughes-Deane has been appointed as a deputy district judge for the Northern Circuit.

The former University of Liverpool student landed a Hardwick Scholarship at Lincoln’s Inn in 2001 and was called to the bar a year later.

The role of deputy district judge is part-time which means that Mrs Hughes-Deane will still maintain her current position at the chambers.

She said: “I am delighted to be taking this role and will be hearing civil matters in courts across Lancashire alongside my practice in the chancery and commercial group in chambers.”

Away from the courtroom Mrs Hughes-Dean also keeps very busy.

“I’m a keen football fan and have got an Everton season ticket,” she said.