ONE of the North-East's oldest law firms has merged with one of the region's largest.

Dobermans Horsman, of Middlesbrough, has joined with Crutes, which has offices in Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Carlisle.

The new firm combines the staff from the Middlesbrough office of Crutes and that of Dobermans Horseman, both currently based in Borough Road, in the town.

Crutes in Middlesbrough will retain its name, while Dobermans Horsman will become Dobermans, a division of Crutes.

Crutes partner Alison Shepherd said: "Dobermans Horsman has a wonderful track record in Middlesbrough and the Tees Valley."

It will bring the number of people working at Crutes to nearly 200 across its three sites in Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Carlisle.

Initially, each office will retain its current site. There are plans to merge the two offices next year, with some staff moving to a separate site.