A SOLICITOR'S firm has been closed amid serious concerns about the financial running of the firm.

Ian Holland & Co, Railway Road, Darwen, was shut down yesterday by the regulatory arm of the Law Society.

The firm's sole practitioner Eric Ian Holland, 55, could now face a Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal next year in London.

Agents, Laytons, based in St John Street, Manchester, have been appointed to deal with existing clients.

The premises will remain shut during the investigation over "serious concerns about the financial running of the firm". The decision to shut the firm was made months after initial investigations were made.

A variety of sources were said to have been used to gather intelligence, according to the Law Society.

The Law Society said there was no police involvement.

Geoffrey Negus, a spokesman for the Solicitors' Regulation Authority, said: "On December 14 the SRA intervened into Ian Holland & Co.

"The firm's sole practitioner Eric Ian Holland's practising certificate has been suspended on the grounds of serious concerns about the financial running of the firm.

"It's a measure we take only after a very complex investigation has taken place.

"We have to have serious reasons for going in and shutting a firm because it affects the livelihood of the solicitor and affects the clients.

"Nothing has been proven at this stage.

"An agent has been appointed to look after the affairs of any existing clients.

"They will be getting in contact with clients.

"We are not in a position at this stage to say how the invest-igation has come about because that forms part of the evidence."

Mr Holland became a solicitor on December 15, 1976.

He is a member of the Law Society and specialised in family law, residential convey-ancing, personal injury and mental health.