THE owners of a growing North Yorkshire law firm, Newton Solicitors, have acquired a new practice in the North East.

Chris and Sarah Newton have bought Hodgsons & Mortimer, a £700,000-turnover firm with 15 staff in offices in Darlington and Richmond.

Brothers Nick and Richard Hodgson, who own and run Hodgsons & Mortimer, will remain with the business for three years during which it will continue to trade as a separate business.

Chris Newton said that in time he hoped to have a single Newtons brand across the region, which he hoped to expand to a £3 million turnover, and to £5 million in the medium term.