CHARTERED accountants and business advisors Keith Robinson and Co is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

During the past 20 years, its eight longest-standing clients have created more than 350 jobs and increased their collective turnover by three times the rate of national growth.

Between them the firms, many of which were fledgling businesses 20 years ago, employ 421 staff and have a collective turnover of £30.5m. In 1983, thre were 55 employees and a turnover of £1.87m.

Founding partner Keith Robinson set up the firm after working for what was then Price Waterhouse.

The team of 13 at the firm's Middlesbrough office includes eight accountants, two graduate trainees and three support staff.

Mr Robinson said: "One of the things we have always prided ourselves on as a firm has been the quality of our client base.

"The figures show that these companies have made giant strides over the last 20 years, both in terms of their financial growth, but also in creating high-quality jobs for local people throughout the region."