A NEW summer recruitment scheme has reaped rewards for a Bolton legal practice.

For the first time Fieldings Porter, in Silverwell Street, undertook a vacation programme to find fresh talent.

More than 60 applications were received, with the numbers pared down to seven, all from different universities, through a series of interviews.

Five of the cohort are now set to join the ranks at the multi-service firm as paralegals - with the remaining two invited back to participate next year.

David Darlington, an associate solicitor who run the scheme with colleague Jennifer Moorhouse, said: "“We are very proud of our interns this year.

"The standard of applications was extremely high and it is testament to the interns that we were able to go to the partners with a business case to employ all of them either now, or in the future.

"The interns assisted the firm greatly over the summer months when staff started to take holidays and they have worked hard with us demonstrating their ability and how they will be an asset to the firm for years to come. We wish them every success in their careers and welcome them into the Fieldings Porter family."

Lucy Simpson, of Leeds Becket, is joining the commercial and property team, while Beth Talbot, a Manchester University graduate, has been recruited to the criminal unit on a part-time basis while she continues post-graduate studies.

For William Lomax, of the University of Central Lancashire, there's a berth in the litigation department, while Martha Norman Long, of Manchester University, and Mehvish Ashraf, join the criminal and private client teams respectively.

Savannah Moore, of Manchester Metropolitan University, and Teigan Wilde, of Huddersfield University, will complete full-time undergraduate courses before returning for next year's summer vacation programme.

Applications for the 2020 programme are open now - e-mail placements@fieldingsporter.co.uk