TWO long-established South Lakeland law firms are joining forces to create a larger practice.

Milne Moser and Powell & Sykes said the merger would give the new firm access to increased areas of expertise and resources.

The expansion would see continued investment in staff training, recruitment and development, and pave the way for greater investment in equipment to meet various changes facing the legal profession, including electronic conveyancing.

Founded in 1819 by Roger Moser, Milne Moser moved to its present office on Highgate in 1983. The listed building, formerly the Marvic Hotel, has since been twice extended. Milne Moser became the first solicitors' firm in Cumbria to start an estate agency department in 1988, and opened a branch agency for Nationwide Building Society ten years later.

Powell & Sykes began life in the 1930s when Leslie Powell, who also acted as local coroner and clerk to the justices, acquired an existing practice in Milnthorpe. He was joined by Roger Sykes in the early 1960s, forming Powell & Sykes, and the firm opened a second office in Kendal.

Milne Moser partner Paul Williams said he was very excited about the opportunities that an enlarged firm would have to promote its many specialist skills.

"The firm will now have greater resources to do this. As the leading training solicitors in Kendal, we have plans to recruit a further two trainee solicitors over the next two years, and also to expand the business into other areas of south Cumbria."

Paul Davies, partner of Powell & Sykes, said the merger meant the firm could be at the forefront of moves to adopt electronic conveyancing.

The new firm's presence in the Milnthorpe area created an opportunity to expand the Nationwide estate agency, said agency manager Angela Hall-Aspland.

Meanwhile, three trainee solicitors at Milne Moser have completed their training contracts and have been admitted to the Law Society Roll as solicitors.

Justine Allen, who specialises in commercial matters, wills, probate and residential conveyancing, completed the first half of her training with a firm in London before returning to her home town of Kendal to join Milne Moser.

Emma Winkworth concentrates on personal injury and criminal matters. She will shortly become accredited as a police station representative, with a view to joining the local duty solicitor scheme.

Miriam Powell, who specialises in family and matrimonial law, residential conveyancing and probate, worked for the Halifax Building Society for 12 years before deciding to retrain as a solicitor.