LAWYER Lorna McShane has returned to the North-East to become a partner in the planning department at commercial law firm Muckle LLP.

Ms McShane, who was born in South Shields, worked as an in-house lawyer for various North-East local authorities before going to work in the Midlands ten years ago.

More recently, she moved into private practice as a planning lawyer with DLA, in Birmingham, before accepting a position at Newcastle-based Muckle.

She will be working closely with partner Alan Grisedale, who joined Muckle from Dickinson Dees in June to head up and expand the firm's public sector practice.

Ms McShane said: "I really missed the region when I was away and I missed the people more than I ever thought I would. That, and the fact that there is so much happening in the North-East involving planning, development and regeneration, means I have been considering a return for some time.

"So when I learned that Muckle were seeking to further develop their public sector practice, I saw it as a great opportunity."