and Carruthers and Co taking the decision to retire. Michael Wakelin will retire from Carruthers and Co and Rodney Robson will retire as a practising partner from Footners with effect the 31st March 2007.

The new firm will be run by Peter McVean, an existing partner in Footners and Anthony Howorth, an existing partner in Carruthers and Co. Both qualified in 1981 and have a wealth of experience locally, particularly in residential and commercial property conveyancing and probate.

With effect from April 2007 the newly merged practices will trade under the Footners name from the existing offices at 50 The Hundred in Romsey and Cannon Street, Southampton. The firm will specialise in residential and commercial property, probate, family law, employment and civil litigation, with a team of 28 excluding the two partners.

Commenting on the merger, Anthony Howorth said," We are similar firms with strong property conveyancing and probate departments and a wealth of experience in this and other areas. The merger will create a formidable force in property conveyancing and probate with good geographic cover across the West of the City, to Romsey and beyond."

Peter McVean added." With the decision of our partners to retire at the same time, the merger made perfect sense and allows us to combine our skills and offices under one name. Rodney has agreed to stay on to assist with the administration particularly with the introduction of Home Information Packs."