A YORK solicitor has become the sixth member of his family to lead the region's Law Society after being appointed as president this week.

Peter Kay, senior director of Ware & Kay Solicitors, based in Peasholme Green, took office with the Yorkshire Law Society at a reception at York’s Merchant Taylors’ Hall.

As it celebrates its 230th anniversary this year, the Yorkshire Law Society is the second oldest in the country, and is open to practicing solicitors, legal executives, paralegals and university law lecturers together with some County Court Judges.

In his inaugural speech following the Law Society Annual General Meeting, Mr Kay said "It is a great honour to accept such a prestigious role within an organisation that has represented the local legal profession for more than 200 years.

"My aspiration for the year ahead is to raise the approval rating of solicitors and their firms in the society’s area by emphasising the importance of solicitors in enabling society to function in everyday life.

"I am very much looking forward to representing local practitioners and raising issues of local concern on their behalf at national level."

Mr Kay, who has confirmed his chosen charity this year is to be York Against Cancer, was born in York and educated at Bootham School.

He qualified as a solicitor in 1981 and practised in London for four years in a specialist commercial shipping practice.

In 1985, after returning to York a year earlier he became a partner in the solicitors firm now known as Ware & Kay Solicitors, which also has offices in Wetherby and Malton.