Release date: May 2006

Close Thornton, the Darlington firm of solicitors, has celebrated 60 years in business at their offices in Duke Street.

Frank Thornton, who founded the firm in 1946 after returning from the Second World War, was the guest of honour. Mr Thornton, who was born in Darlington and is 86, said that the firm's first clients were family members and gradually the business grew by word of mouth. Walter Close, the other founding member, helped to establish the business but later emigrated to Kenya. In 1952, Alfred Hobson, who Frank Thornton had met in the Legal Aid section of the Army, joined the firm as a partner. He retired in 1970.

'In those days people could find solicitors intimidating. I always believed in treating all clients equally and offering a pleasant, efficient and friendly service for local people', said Frank Thornton, 'I am proud that the firm still holds the same strong values today'.

This business philosophy, together with the embracing of the latest technology, has been at the heart of the business for 60 years and today the firm boasts 5 partners and employs over 30 staff. Close Thornton has a well-established client base among individuals and businesses in the Darlington area and many of them were present at the celebrations this week.

John Witty, with partners George Robson, Ralph Barton and Guy Hodgson, was senior partner until his retirement in 1991. The current Senior Partner, Chris Wiper said, 'We have a strong tradition of developing home-grown talent. Our most recent success is Kelly Henderson, who joined the firm from school, and became a fully qualified Solicitor in 2005'.

Many of the staff have been with the firm for over 25 years. 'A strong sense of family pervades our whole business', said Mr Wiper, 'We know that our clients value this continuity and the excellent customer service delivered by our staff' year in and year out'.

Whilst still providing traditional legal services, Close Thornton has developed a team of specialist lawyers who offer clients a wide range of services including private client legal services, commercial, company law, tax, wills, family and commercial and civil litigation. Since 2000, the firm has also provided a Solicitors Property Shop. For further information, please call 01325 466461.

Three generations: Frank Thornton, one of the founders of the firm, with retired Senior Partner John Witty and the current Senior Partner, Chris Wiper.

For more information about this press release please contact Theresa Stinson on 07888 847570 or by email.

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