A Maidstone solicitor has been given the outstanding achievement award at the Kent Law Society Awards 2017.

Blair Gulland, chairman of Gullands Solicitors, was give the honour for his work for clients in the almshouse sector.

He is chairman of the Almshouse Association and co-author of Standards of Almhouse Management.

He has 41 years’ experience in land and property sales, where he has built connections with charity financiers and private funders.

He said: “It is a great honour to receive this award.

“There are many challenges and opportunities for charities in the almshouse sector and I’m very pleased to work with a number of them not just here in Kent, but nationally, to enable them to grow further.”