TWO old firms of solicitors with a long tradition of service in the area, Dootsons and Eckersley Hope, merged this week.

The company will be known as Dootson Eckersley Hope and will operate from three offices in Church Street, Leigh, Culcheth and Atherton.

The partners in the new legal practice, which will employ a total of 50, all the staff from both firms, are Ian Howells, Andrew Stockton, Bill Hawksworth and Michele Wright.

Barry Eckersley Hope will remain actively involved as a consultant

Both firms were founded over 100 years ago and the new firm will be built on a tradition of high quality of service, backed by a highly experienced team of lawyers focused to meet the needs of individual clients.

The main areas of law covered are property, family, wills, probate and trust, litigation plus company and commercial.

Andrew Stockton, managing partner, said: "We are delighted that two such established firms have decided to amalgamate. The key to this merger is the dedication of both firms to the provision of effective solutions to clients' problems.

"This commitment to the client is backed by an impressive in-house expertise together with modern technology. We aim to continue the growth to meet the ever-demanding and varied needs of our clients but never forgetting our tradition of friendly, personal service."

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