THE Duke of Norfolk and three members of his family have marked a 35-year business relationship with Bolton solicitor Peter Liptrott. Mr Liptrott is a partner in Kippax Beaumont Lewis of Mawdsley Street. The legal connection dates back even further to 1938 when Mr Liptrott's father - also a Bolton solicitor - began acting for certain landed estates in Yorkshire which subsequently became part of the Norfolk estates.

Four members of the Norfolk family - the Duke of Norfolk, the Earl of Arundel, Lord Gerald Fitzalan Howard and Lord Martin Fitzalan Howard - visited the firm's offices for a regular estate meeting followed by a private lunch to mark the long-term association.

Mr Liptrott has been providing legal advice to the Norfolk family since 1963, particularly in connection with property issues affecting their land interests which stretch from Durham to the South Coast, including estates in Norfolk, the North West and Yorkshire.

Mr Liptrott said he was "delighted" with the visit.

The Howard family, whose head is the Duke of Norfolk, dates back to Sir William Howard of Norfolk who died in 1308.

Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk, was a powerful peer during the reign of Henry VIII and two of his nieces, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, were married to the King.

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