THE LARGEST law firm in Okehampton will be created when Stones Cann and Hallett merge with Okehampton-based Burd Pearse in May. This follows, a year to that date, the merger between Stones and Cann and Hallett.

At present the main office of Burd Pearse is at Fore Street, Okehampton with their other office at South Street, Torrington.

Stones Cann and Hallett's present Okehampton office will move into the Burd Pearse premises, to provide top quality legal services through out West and North Devon.

Together with the offices in Okehampton and Torrington the partnership will now have two Exeter offices — one at Northernhay Place and the other at Trinity Court, Southernhay.

This merger reflects the continuing growth and development of Stones Cann and Hallett adding two extra partners to the existing 15 and an extra 20 staff, bringing the total number of employees to more than 100.

Philip Bailey, partner in Burd Pearse — which has been based in Okehampton since 1802 and Torrington since 1979 — said: 'We are delighted with this merger which will enhance the wide range of services we already provide to our clients, and broaden the range of expertise available both to existing and new clients.'

Mr Hugh Winterbotham, managing partner as Stones Cann and Hallett said: 'We are very excited about this and feel it is an excellent merger with a highly respected firm.

'This builds on our merger of last year and is part of our aim to make accessible top quality legal advice to private and commercial clients throughout the West Country.'

Mr Winterbotham believed the merger would be welcomed by established clients of both practices. He also felt new clients would be attracted by 'the availability of specialist services' in their own locality.

l West Devon and Torridge MP John Burnett, who has been a partner in the Burd Pearse law firm since 1976, is in the process of negotiating his 'complete withdrawal' from the firm.

'I gave a commitment that I'd give 100 per cent to being an MP and that is what I'm doing,' he said.

As well as giving up his legal work he has withdrawn from his farming commitments and has rented out his farm.