Accountancy firm Wilkins Kennedy has merged with another practice in the county as it aims to extend its reach in east Kent.

The business has added Canterbury-based Lakin Clark to its offices in Ashford, Orpington and Sandwich.

The company, which has a turnover of about £40 million, now has 15 offices across the UK and one in the Falkland Islands, employing about 500 people.

Its latest addition adds 18 staff, including two partners and a senior consultant, to the teams under its Southern region.

It has 60 staff in its Ashford office, 50 in Orpington and three in Discovery Park in Sandwich.

Lakin Clark was established in 1982 and works in a range of sectors, including agriculture, the professions, the service sector, the construction industry, charities and retailers.

It will now trade under the Wilkins Kennedy brand.

Robert Reynolds, regional partner for the Southern region, said: “Wilkins Kennedy is excited by its continued expansion in Kent and we are pleased to welcome the new team to the firm.

“I wish them all the best for a long and prosperous future with us here at Wilkins Kennedy.”

Nigel Cripps, partner at Lakin Clark, said: “Wilkins Kennedy is a good match in terms of business ethos, as we both have a key focus on client relationships and excellent customer service.

"The merger will enable us to offer clients a wider and more specialist range of services and support whilst retaining the values that have served us so well over the past 34 years.”