AN accountancy firm has returned to offices in Durham City where it was first established almost 25 years ago, after a twist of fate saw them temporarily housed there.

Leathers LLP, founded in 1990, moved into premises at 19 1/2(CORR) Old Elvet in Durham in 1991 as a small business run by founder Michael Leather. Since then, the company - now based in Newcastle - has grown to become one of the North-East's leading businesses of its kind, working with clients across the UK and beyond.

After leaving Durham several years ago to operate from a single site, Leathers LLP has returned to the city in response to a significantly increasing workload, and recently opened a new office at 26A Old Elvet, which is managed by Partner Catherine Milbanke.

However, due to the premises becoming flooded, Leathers LLP has had to temporarily relocate - to the very place the business first started out.

Mr Leather, said: "We are delighted to be back in Durham, the place where the firm started out as Leather & Co, a one-person business, almost 25 years ago, and it is an amazing irony that we are now back in the exact building where we launched.

"Because 19 1/2 is such an iconic little doorway, people always knew where to find me in those early days - and now they can come and visit us here again.

"We are grateful to our landlord Steve Best for finding us new premises so quickly after the rather unfortunate flood, and we should be back in our more permanent home by the new year. But what a lovely coincidence that our very first office should play a role once again in the growth and development of Leathers LLP."