A Bradford law firm has announced record growth levels for the fifth year in a row.

Gordons Solicitors has increased its staff numbers by 11 this year and bosses say the firm has ambitious growth plans for the new year.

The new appointments, all of whom are solicitors, represent the largest round of recruitment of solicitors in the firm's history and will strengthen the practice's personal law, planning, environmental, commercial litigation, construction, corporate and personal injury departments.

Managing partner Paul Ayre said: "We are continuing to grow at pace. During the past 12 months the firm has posted a record turnover figure for a fifth successive year and acquired David Yablon Solicitors in Bradford.

"We believe that the 11 new solicitors are all talented and ambitious individuals who now have the opportunity to play a part in the future development of Gordons."

Gordons' turnover for the last financial year was £18.7 million - an increase of seven per cent from the previous year's total - while the acquisition of David Yablon Solicitors will further increase the firm's fee income by more than £2 million during the course of the next year.

The 11 new solicitors are Lyndsay Bailey, Mark Blackburn, Geraint Pinches, Frances McGhee, Sophie Basso, Noel Scanlon, Sarah Sarwar, Ambreen Ahmed, Simon Glazebrook, Duncan Brockway and Ruth Harrison.

Established in Bradford in 1844, the firm's clients include Morrisons, personal care and footwear company Peter Black Group, international brewers Coors and the world's largest electrical heating business Glen Dimplex. It opened a Leeds office in 2000.

Gordons employs 303 people, including 167 fee earners. The firm's departments include commercial property, corporate, commercial litigation, construction, intellectual property, employment, regulatory, planning, residential conveyancing, personal injury, personal and family.

Bradford was named as one of the best cities in the country to practice law earlier this year.