TWO long-standing firms of Darlington chartered surveyors, Smiths Gore and Tarn Bainbridge, have merged.

Smiths Gore was founded in 1847 and opened a Darlington office in 1863; Tarn Bainbridge traces its origins back to 1891. In the last year the two offices sold property worth £26.5m.

Tarn Bainbridge, well known for its estate agency work, particularly in the West end of Darlington and the rural area, closed its offices in Posthouse Wynd last week.

Two of its partners, as well as a building surveyor and an administrator, have moved to Smiths Gore's offices in Con-iscliffe Road, raising numbers there to 20, half of whom are chartered surveyors.

One partner, Mr Simon Bainbridge, has become the 35th partner in Smiths Gore, which has 14 offices in England and Scotland. The other partner, Mr Francis Calder, who specialises in chattels and fine art valuations, becomes a consultant to the firm.

Mr David Gray, partner in charge of Smiths Gore in Darlington, said: "The Tarn Bainbridge team considerably strengthens our office, the only one in County Durham maintained by a multi-disciplinary, national firm of chartered surveyors."

Tarn Bainbridge also had expertise in land management and in the design, planning, development and sale of green and brownfield sites.

Mr Simon Bainbridge said Smiths Gore was attractive because of their reputation in selling large country estates and high quality or interesting houses. On the land management side, they acted for major institutions and landowners .

"We have expertise in similar fields, but at the middle rather than the top of the market. Together, we will be a considerable force," he said