CHARTERED accountants in the region are joining forces with colleagues north of the border for a tax conference in the autumn.

It marks the first joint event by the Institute of Chartered Accountants' Northern region and the Institute Members in Scotland.

Up to 100 tax practitioners from the North-East, Cumbria and Scotland are expected to attend the conference at the Peebles Hotel Hydro in the Borders from October 11 to 13.

Delegates will take part in a series of lectures and workshops run by some of the UK's leading tax experts.

Michael Moore, Liberal Democrat MP for Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale, is the after-dinner speaker on October 12. A chartered accountant, Mr Moore is his party's deputy foreign affairs spokesman.

Keith Proudfoot, the Institute's Northern regional manager, said: "Where there are issues of mutual interest, it is sensible to pool our resources wherever possible and avoid unnecessary duplication of effort.

For more detials, contact Mr Proudfoot on 0191-206 4550.