AN ESTATE agency and chartered surveyor is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Norman F Brown Chartered Surveyors, Valuers and Estate Agents has offices in Richmond, Leyburn and Bedale.

Mr Brown, from Swaledale, first opened the Richmond branch in 1967, and the firm expanded with the purchase of a Leyburn office in 1976.

A move was made in Richmond with the purchase of the Morton & Lloyds repair garage and filling station. In 1980, this was demolished and purpose-built offices were constructed together with salerooms where regular sales of antique and other furniture were held.

The Bedale office was built in 1985 on the old auction mart side is managed by Philip Mills, who attended Cirencester College and is well known in the area having joined the firm over thirty years ago.

Mr Brown was joined by his son James Brown, who now runs the business.

The firm employs ten loyal staff including Janet Atkinson who manages the Leyburn office and who has been with the firm 31 years.