TWO East Lancashire law firms are merging. Burnley-based Southern Cooper and Whittle & Whittaker, which has offices in Nelson and Colne, will become Southerns on June 1.

The newly-merged firm will have nine partners and a total staff of more than 60. It will have offices in Burnley, Nelson and Colne and have departments covering criminal, matrimonial, civil litigation and employment.

"Legal practice becomes more complex each day and, in order to give an efficient service, it is necessary that solicitors become more specialised," said Staurt Mason, the new senior partner of the firm.

Following the merger, David Bray, a partner with Whittle & Whittaker will retire.

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