A growing professional services company says it is targetting expansion in Kent after acquiring a firm in Sussex.

Ampa, which has a number of law brands under its umbrella, expects to have completed the merger of South East law firm Mayo Wynne Baxter by May - and now says it has its sights set on the county.

Dean Orgill, chief executive partner at Mayo Wynne Baxter, said: “We are recruiting proactively across Sussex, Surrey and Kent to grow the business and deliver more opportunities for jobs as well as internal career progression. Being part of the Ampa group enables us to increase the pace of this programme.”

Joining the likes of full-service Midlands and London-based law firm Shakespeare Martineau and planning consultancy Marrons Planning, Mayo Wynne Baxter will become the regional anchor brand for Ampa in the South East.

The Sussex firm, which has its headquarters in Lewes, will continue to operate as a separate firm after the deal which saw no money change hands and its equity partners merge in Ampa's membership.

It says it now has "ambitious plans" to expand into Kent and Surrey.

The merger will take Ampa to a turnover above £100m for 2022/23 and a group of more than 1,100 people immediately.