TWO new members staff at a west Wiltshire law firm were surprised to learn they are near neighbours.

Emma Flick and Hilary Bowles, started work at Goughs' Chippenham office on the same day but up to then had never met, even though they live only ten minutes walk away from each other in Swindon.

Emma is due to qualify as a fully fledged solicitor in September while Hilary has been practising in family law for 15 years. They will both work in family law, helping each other in the firm's expanding department.

Another member of the family law team, Debbie Stringer, has switched offices from Chippenham to Melksham. She will be assisted by Tina Kiernan.