A SALFORD-based business, with one of its several satellite offices in Bolton, has been officially recognised as the fastest-growing accountancy firm in the UK.

Jacksons, whose Head Office is at Salford Quays, reported a massive 42 per cent growth in turnover in the year up to May, 2000.

The 15-year-old business, which originated in Westhoughton, leapt to 40th place in the Accountancy magazine league table of firms with a turnover of £7.1 million -- up from £5 million in 1999.

Regional Partner Peter Donnelly, based in Breightmet Street, Bolton, said: "Our success has been achieved by a combination of sustained organic growth and acquisitions.

"We recognised some time ago that we needed to develop our services away from the traditional audit and accountancy base and are now able to offer clients a complete range of business services and support."

The Group has specialist departments in financial planning, litigation support, corporate finance and outsourcing.

The corporate recovery and insolvency team was ranked 16th in the entire country in the national survey.

Jacksons' philosophy is to seek to attract entrepreneurial clients looking to grow their business.

The firm is committed to further expansion and has ambitious development plans for the next 12 months.