TWO friends have teamed up to launch a new company in Bolton.

Ian Taylor and Stephen Owen are joint directors of Money Solutions, a firm of Independent Financial Advisers in Chorley Old Road.

The pair first met on a business course at Bolton College in 1982 before going on to become team mates at Turton football club for 15 years.

They have both worked in financial services and as IFAs in the area for many years. Now they have decided to pool their experience to offer financial and investment advice to professional services, businesses and individuals.

Stephen, from Belmont, has worked in the financial industry for more than 30 years at several FTSE 100 companies, including Lloyds TSB, Prudential and Norwich Union. He will specialise in retirement planning.

Ian, from Bromley Cross, has worked as an IFA for 16 years, specialising in investments for private individuals and several local companies.

A third adviser, Lynda Oakley, from Egerton, will also be part of the business. She recently qualified as an IFA after working in administration for six years with Ian and, before that, in customer services at Abbey National for 11 years.

The company's aim is to have specialist departments for property, investment and pension advice, and they plan to take on more financial advisers over the next 12 months.

Ian said: "Stephen and I have been friends since we met in 1982. He was my best man and we went on to play football together for 15 years, so we know we can work well as a team."

"We have good working relationships with several accountancy and legal practices in the region advising their clients, as well as individual clients who come to us directly."