North-East law firm Gordon Brown Associates has appointed solicitor MARK WARD to specialise in family law and licensing work.

Mr Ward will work full-time at the Sunderland office of Gordon Brown Associates, handling marriage breakdown and licensing work for the Sunderland and Chester-le-Street offices.

The 39-year-old is from Oxford and lives in Whickham.

Moya Mason, at the Sunderland branch of Gordon Brown Associates, said: "It is a pleasure to welcome Mark aboard the newly-formed team in Sunderland. I am sure his expertise in family law will be invaluable to our Sunderland clients."

Gordon Brown Associates has offices in Chester-le-Street, Sunderland, Low Fell and Stanley, County Durham.