Trowbridge solicitor Nick Plant, of Wiltshire law firm Goughs, marks 40 years in the profession this month.

Mr Plant became a solicitor in 1966 and two years later decided to leave his home town of Liverpool and head south. The young legal practice of Middleton Upsall Pearce and Oliver, based in Warminster, appointed him to open a new office in Trowbridge.

In 1972 the firm moved to its present offices in Fore Street and the name changed to Middleton and Upsall.

The Middleton and Upsall partnership of five offices broke up in 1995 and the Trowbridge office remained under the name Middletons until 1999 when the firm merged with Goughs.

Goughs is now one of Wiltshire's largest law firms, with offices in Melksham, Corsham, Chippenham, Calne and Devizes. It has 16 partners and employs more than 70 staff. Mr Plant's work at Goughs includes the sale and purchase of high value residential properties, business sales and purchases, lease of shops, offices and factories, and general business-related matters.

Mr Plant is a member and past president of Trowbridge Rotary Club, and an honorary member of the Rotary clubs of Wessex Mead, and Saint L (France).

The chairman of the Union Street and Lady Browns Cottage Homes Almshouses Trusts and the Trowbridge, Melksham and District branch of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, he was recently re-appointed to continue as a governor of St Augustine's Catholic College, has served as the secretary of Trowbridge Chamber of Commerce and until this month was secretary of Trowbridge Park Club.