WORK is under way on purpose-built offices for a Wearside law firm.

Hodgson Maggiore Solicitors has started excavation work at the site in Ferryboat Lane, Sunderland.

The 7,000sq ft, two-storey office building is scheduled for completion in September and will be base for the firm's 30 staff, including solicitors and support staff.

The premises will feature meeting rooms for clients and training facilities for staff.

David Hodgson, one of Maggiore's four partners, said: "We are delighted with the progress we have achieved in the relatively short space of time we have been in business.

"To warrant a purpose-built office is a tremendous achievement and recognition of our hard work and commitment, as well as a testament to our faith in the future."

The firm was established in November 1994, as a management buy-out from the Northern Rock Building Society.

Since then, it has grown rapidly and has a client base including small and medium-sized enterprises, private clients and a variety of commercial clients, ranging from brewing-related businesses, local government, power and energy firms.

Recently, the business renamed its well-established mortgage divisions as Mostly Mortgages, which provides existing and potential clients with fast, efficient mortgage applications, remortgages, mortgage arrears, acquisition of mortgage books or constitutional and regulatory advice to mortgage lenders.

Mr Hodgson said: "Until recently, legal practices were required to use either current or past partners surnames as their trading name.

"Due to the changes in the Law Society rules, we are one of the first legal firms to use a name such as Mostly Mortgages, enabling us to be identified by aspects of work we do, making it easier for clients and potential clients."