CLIENTS of a firm of solicitors closed last month after a major investigation was launched have been told to find new representatives.

Hindle Son and Cooper, in Church Street, Darwen, was closed on September 19 by the regulatory arm of the Law Society. Its partners Philip Pressler and Pamela Higab will face a Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal -- probably next year -- over "serious" allegations. Both were banned from practising.

Agents appointed by the Office of Supervision for Solicitors worked out of the Darwen offices dealing with existing clients. But the premises are now shut after a failed bid by the Law Society to sell the business as a going concern. Clients have now been told to find themselves new solicitors.

A spokesman for the Office of Supervision for Solicitors said: "Agents tried to sell the firm but failed to do so. Files are being returned to the clients and notified to find new solicitors.

"Hindle Son and Cooper will no longer be trading. The offices are now closed."

The spokesman added that if clients had lost money in the process they could apply to the Law Society's compensation fund to be reimbursed -- providing the solicitors are found to have acted dishonestly at next year's hearing, which is due to be held in London.

At this point all the allegations are unfounded.

Charles Cooper, of the Drum Shop, in Belthorn Road, in Belthorn, was a client of Mr Pressler when the allegations came to light. He only realised the difficulties when he read an article in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

He said: "Mr Pressler was doing some conveyance work on my property regarding car parking. I had heard nothing from him and then I saw the newspaper story. No money was involved at this stage, it's just inconvenient."

Following the article in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph about the solicitors being banned, Pamela Higab said she planned to appeal and was hoping to back in work within the coming weeks.

The Office of Supervision said today no appeal had been made by either Mrs Higab, of Oldfield Avenue, Darwen or Mr Pressler, of Higher Whittlestonehead Farm, in Darwen.

The decision to shut the firm was made months after initial allegations were made.

A wide variety of sources was said to have been used to gather intelligence.

Both Mr Pressler and Mrs Higab will be heard together at the tribunal although they could face different outcomes.

A spokesman for the Office of Supervision said the treatment would be appropriate for the individual concerned.