THE MERGER of accountancy firms HLB Kidsons and Baker Tilly on April 1 will create the eighth largest practice in the country.

HLB Kidsons, with an office in Tunbridge Wells, and Baker Tilly, Bromley, will be part of a national operation with annual fees of more than £150 million.

Senior partners for both firms insisted that the jobs of 130 partners and staff working for both firms in the county were safe.

Adrian Hollands, managing partner of Baker Tilly's Bromley office, said: "It's good news. In fact, we're hoping to attract more staff. We see great opportunities."