A BOLTON law firm is celebrating achieving the prestigious Investors in People award for excellent employee development.

The 18-strong team at Colin Rayner & Co is now reaping the rewards at newly-refurbished and expanded offices in Astley Bridge.

Investors follows on from the award of franchises by the Legal Services Commission to conduct legally-aided work and receipt of the Law Society's Lexcel Award for excellent practice management -- one of only a select number of law firms to do so.

Partner Stephen Calderbank said: "A profession such as ours is very much a 'people business' and we have always recognised the need to provide a service to our clients that is quality-driven."

And Partner Colin Rayner added: "The practice has seen some major advances in the last two years, including a broadening of our services, the creation of three new partners and the introduction of new technology.

"We are very proud to have been recognised as an Investors in People organisation."

The practice has members of the Law Society's Family Panel, the Solicitors' Family Law Association, the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and the Immigration Law Practitioners' Association.

Hazel Hampson, part of the Bolton and Bury Chamber team which helped the firm through the Investors programme, said: "Colin Rayner & Co have embraced the continuous improvement culture of Investors in People extremely effectively during a period of change and expansion.

"They all deserve congratulations for their hard work and commitment."

Left to right, front, at the IIP presentation are Hazel Hampson, Workforce Development Advisor, Bolton & Bury Chamber, Colin Rayner and Andrew Ratcliffe, Director of Membership, Bolton & Bury Chamber.