50LEGAL services firm SFM has opened its latest office in Sunderland as part of its efforts to increase numbers of staff to 100 in the next 18 months.

The business, which has a £5m turnover, was set up in 2002 at its base in Team Valley, Gateshead.

It is handling property deals in the South worth more than £50m and managers are planning to open an office in London.

The company has created 20 jobs through its move to Sunderland's Defender Court - increasing its workforce to more than 100 - and will relocate several staff from its headquarters.

Managing partner Malcolm Graham said its growing presence in Wearside had prompted the expansion.

"We have been experiencing a growth in private clients from Wearside for the past 12 months, many of whom come to us for specialist tax schemes and combined property conveyancing advice," he said.

"Our Sunderland team will look after everything from commercial legal advice, to personal and corporate tax planning, conveyancing on commercial and high-end domestic property purchases and many other legal and financial issues such as wills or mortgages."

SFM is the latest high-profile business to move into Sunderland.

In the past three years, international companies have brought 5,000 jobs and £1bn of investment.

Mr Graham said: "Sunderland is a city that is changing fast.

"New building work and redevelopment is transforming the skyline from every angle.

"At SFM, we quickly recognised the city's thriving business scene and how it is competing on a national level as one of the best cities in which to invest in, property especially."

SFM was began when Mr Graham spotted a gap for specialist lawyers in the field of tax, property and financial planning, particularly for those in the middle to high income bracket.

Wendy Gurr joined the company in 2006 as his business partner.

It has three divisions - SFM Legal Sevices, SFM Wealth Management and SFM Mortgage Services.