A TEESSIDE law firm celebrating its 175th anniversary has announced a new managing partner.

Carolyn Tilly, of Tilly Bailey and Irvine, has taken over from John Hall who spent 10 years in the role.

She has lived and worked in the North East all of her life and joined the firm as a trainee solicitor in 1990. She has been a partner for 18 years and head of the private client team which, under her leadership, has developed into the largest department in the firm.

Mr Hall will continue in his role as head of the personal injury and clinical negligence departments.

He said: "Carolyn’s promotion is well-deserved and is testament to her hard work and dedication to the firm over 27 years. Along with our celebrations of the firm’s 175 years in business, this is a very exciting time for Tilly Bailey & Irvine."

The company dates back to 1842 when Tobias Harry Tilly joined Edward Turnbull who had been admitted as a solicitor in Hartlepool. The firm prospered and grew over the years taking advantage of Hartlepool’s increase in trade and shipping.

It now has more than 160 staff operating from offices in Hartlepool, Stockton, Wynyard and Barnard Castle.