A NEW chapter has been written in the story of one of York's oldest law firms after it sold its headquarters of 170 years.

When the company which became Munby & Scott moved into No 18 Blake Street in 1838, Queen Victoria had been on the throne for only a year.

Now the 18th century townhouse has been sold for an undisclosed sum to a Yorkshire couple, whose intentions for the building are not yet known - although the Blake Gallery remains open on the ground floor as part of the deal.

Munby & Scott, which announced last May it was joining Langleys, is leaving Blake Street to move to Langley's head office in Queens House, Micklegate.

Partner Giles Scott, the fourth generation of his family to work for Munby & Scott - and the last to do so from Blake Street - said: "It's the end of one era and the start of another.

"We have nothing but happy memories of our time at Blake Street, and of the many friends, clients and colleagues who were part of its story.

"But this is also a very exciting time for Langleys incorporating Munby & Scott. Our client base is growing and the merger of the two firms gives us the opportunity we needed to expand further."

Langleys incorporating Munby & Scott now has a 30-strong team in its private client department specialising in property law, probate work and inheritance tax planning.

Michael Shannon and Fiona Buckton were partners alongside Mr Scott at Munby & Scott, and have joined a further nine partners in the merged private law division.

"It has been a seamless changeover," said Mr Scott. "The merger gives us access to considerable extra resources and expertise, while allowing us to continue offering the very personal service that our clients have come to expect.

"We are very proud that Munby & Scott has been serving the people of Yorkshire for more than 250 years.

"Our latest move ensures we can carry on this tradition of service for many years to come."

The Blake Street property was built in 1789 for Elizabeth Woodhouse, and narrowly escaped destruction during a Second World War air raid.

All the windows were blown in and the front badly damaged in the 1942 bomb attack which obliterated the neighbouring property. The caretaker and her family survived by sheltering in the cellar.