THE Newcastle office of business advisors Ernst and Young has announced three appointments to its tax department.

CHRISTINE DORMER has joined the firm as a personal tax consultant from Oxfordshire accountants Critchleys.

LEE MUTER joins from KPMG as senior tax manager in the human capital department and SARAH PASLAWSKA has moved from the firm's Nottingham office as a corporate tax advisor.

Andrew Spence, head of tax at Ernst and Young's Newcastle office, said: "We are witnessing strong growth in the North-East market across a wide range of specialisms and the tax practice, in particular, has seen significant expansion."

Ms Dormer started her career with the Inland Revenue, then worked for a private client division of an investment house in the City. She moved to the North-East in January.

Born in Stakeford, Northumberland, Mr Muter specialises in advising clients on PAYE, National Insurance and related tax matters.He will also help to develop the human capital operation in the firm's Leeds office. A keen Newcastle United supporter and five-a-side football player, he is married with two children and lives in Hexham, Northumberland.

Ms Paslawska, originally from Solihull, West Midlands, works with a range of clients, from owner-managed businesses to multinational corporations, dealing with tax and revenue matters.

She is engaged to be married next year and her interests include running and badminton. She also lives in Hexham.