SENIOR partner Chris Hargraves has retired after more than 30 years at Bolton chartered accountants Bentley & Co.

Mr Hargraves, aged 61, who has lived in Bolton all his life, had been senior partner since 1988.

He joined in 1969 and saw the firm expand from eight staff to 33 with a significantly-increased client base.

He remains as a consultant to the practice, founded more than 70 years ago and which now has more than 2,000 clients throughout the UK.

Mr Hargraves said: "I have enjoyed all my years with Bentley & Co but am looking forward to being able to spend more time walking in the countryside, watching cricket and doing a lot of gardening."

Mr Hargraves and his wife Rose have three grown-up children.

Bentley & Co now has four partners, including Mr Hargraves' son Jonathan, who was made a partner four years ago after training and qualifying with Touche Ross. The other three are Keith Acton, now senior partner, Ray Darby and John Shaw.

The partners are members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

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