TWO South Lakeland businesses are teaming up to offer wider services to their clients.

Furness-based chartered accountants R F Miller & Co has joined forces with Kendal-based financial services company Financial Management Bureau Limited to extend its range of financial services available to clients.

R F Miller & Co's senior partner Robin Dunn said the firm had previously had its own advisers but, with a rapidly expanding range of products, the financial services industry was becoming increasingly complex.

"The days of one or two advisers being able to look after our clients properly are, in our opinion, over. It is our view that the best advice is obtained where there is a depth of technical expertise.

"We realised that to give our clients the service they need and deserve, we had to use a larger firm with the same professional approach as ourselves," said Mr Dunn.

After carrying out research into the market, the firm chose Financial Management Bureau, a well-established company with an "excellent" reputation, added Mr Dunn.

R F Miller £& Co, which has a wide range of clients across Cumbria, said the move formed part of its aim of offering an all-round service to clients, rather than focusing on tax and accounts work.

Les Beavis, managing director of Financial Management Bureau, welcomed the chance to work with R F Miller & Co, saying: "They are similar to us in many ways, in terms of size, business ethos and aspirations.

"The association has begun well and we look forward to working together for the benefit of all current and future clients."