A BLACKBURN accountancy firm has joined forces with a leading insolvency company to assist troubled businesses.

Pierce Chartered Accountants of Blackburn, a leading firm of north west business and financial advisers, has announced a strategic alliance with Manchester and Preston-based Begbies Traynor, the largest independent insolvency practice in the country.

Both firms will use their respective skills to assist financially troubled businesses in the region with a specific emphasis on turnaround and reconstruction.

The alliance will include the opening of a new Blackburn office for Begbies Traynor.

Graham Boyes, Pierce's Senior Partner, is confident the new arrangement will enable both firms to offer their respective clients a more competitive service.

He said: "I'm very pleased that we have been able to formalise our very close and long working relationship with Begbies.

"There's no doubt that being able to provide an expert corporate reconstruction service will introduce us to new markets, presenting opportunities that can only be beneficial to both parties -- and their clients."