A LAW firm is continuing to build its residential conveyancing team with the appointment of three new solicitors, who are confident the London house price bubble won't hit the North-East.

The experienced trio - Diane Lawton, Nicola Carroll and Chloe Conway Hind - have joined BHP Law's growing conveyancing department as confidence returns to the housing market.

And although they say the market is buoyant, especially among first time buyers, prices in the region are remaining at "sensible" levels.

Ms Carroll, who qualified 12 years ago and has worked for firms in Carlisle, North Shields, Newcastle and Chester-le-Street, said: "I think we will see increasing prices over the next few years but the rises will be steady. Like much of the rest of the country, we're not affected by what's been happening in London."

Ms Lawton, who qualified in 1986, previously worked at a rural practice in North Yorkshire, at large city firms in Leeds and Newcastle and also handled negligence claims at the Solicitors' Indemnity Fund.

She said: "There aren't many firms I would have joined but BHP Law was one of them because of the amount of private client work we have. It's a progressive firm and is growing, particularly in residential conveyancing.

"The market is strong for first time buyers, not just because of the Help to Buy scheme but also because mortgage rates are still very low and people want to secure a low fixed rate before rates go up."

Ms Conway Hind, who will be based at BHP Law's Darlington office, qualified in 2008 and has joined from a firm in Sunderland.

She said: "It's a very exciting time to be joining BHP Law, where residential conveyancing has seen considerable growth in the last 12 months. The firm is highly regarded for its service to private clients and that's what attracted us all to join."

The latest appointments to BHP Law’s residential conveyancing team takes the team to a total of 26, comprising conveyancers and support staff.