Two assistant solicitors has been made associates at law firm HFT Gough & Co.

Michelle Holliday is based at the firm’s Workington office and Suzanne Roberts at Whitehaven.

Originally from Halifax, Mrs Holliday, 34, now lives in Whitehaven.

She gained an honours degree at Liverpool John Moore’s University and her LPC at Huddersfield University.

She joined HFT Gough & Co in 2005 as a paralegal before becoming a trainee solicitor in 2006. She was admitted as a solicitor in 2007.

She works in the family department based in the Workington office specialising in private family work including both divorce and unmarried partners and children matters.

Miss Roberts, 30, was born in Whitehaven and went to Whitehaven School.

She joined HFT Gough & Co in 2008 as a trainee solicitor having gained an honours degree at the University of Nottingham in 2007 followed by her Legal Practice Course (LPC) in 2008.

She works in the commercial and property department and specialises in commercial property transactions, leases, the sale and purchase of retail and industrial premises, developments for new builds and agricultural transactions.

She also deals with private client matters, including powers of attorney, wills and probate.

Simon Ward, senior director at HFT Gough & Co, said: "It is in recognition of their excellent hard work and commitment to the company that Michelle and Suzanne have been promoted. I am delighted for them as it is the next step in their career."