LAW firm Dickinson Dees has landed a major NHS contract to advise a Midlands hospital trust on a public- private partnership.

Dickinson Dees, the largest law firm in the North-East, will work with Mid-Staffordshire General Hospitals Trust on a £6m capital project to relocate and build a laundry.

Dickinson Dees bid for the work jointly with healthcare specialists Tribal Secta and will oversee the contractual arrangements between Mid-Staffordshire NHS Trust, which runs two hospitals, and its chosen private sector partner.

Ben Done and Tim Care, partners in the firm's projects group, will head the Dickinson Dees team working with the trust.

Chloe McSwaine, a solicitor in the projects team, will also advise on facilities management and equipment.

Mr Done said: "Our experience in public-private partnerships and our extensive work with the NHS was crucial in securing this contract.

"Mid-Staffordshire General Hospitals Trust is one of the country's biggest NHS Trusts and we're delighted to have won this work.

"We have a good relationship with Tribal Secta, but this is the first time we have bid for any work jointly with them. It will continue to enhance the firm's growing reputation across the UK."

The contract is the latest in a number Dickinson Dees has secured from the NHS.

Earlier this month, it was chosen to advise the Department of Health regarding 20 of the country's top health trusts on applications to become Foundation Trusts.

The new laundry will be capable of handling more than 400,000 items of clothing each week.

Dickinson Dees, which has been practising law since the 18th Century, employs more than 700 people across its two offices in Newcastle and Stockton.

It opened an office in the Tees Valley five years ago. From its base on the Teesdale estate, near Stockton, where it employs 40 of its 700 staff, it is now branching out into North Yorkshire.

The firm represents major industrial players such as Huntsman, as well as having a portfolio of public sector clients across the country.

Its turnover was £42m last year and is set to grow again this year.