Pictured above: (l-r) Elizabeth Phillips (Age Concern Warwickshire) with Mark Lewis (Wright Hassall)

A leading Warwickshire charity has received a legal boost, after announcing a tie-up with a regional law firm.

Age Concern Warwickshire, which helps around 30,000 individuals over the age of 50 across the county every year, has appointed Wright Hassall as legal advisors.

The local, independent charity supports older people primarily with care and support services such as help around the home, shopping, adaptations to bathrooms to aid independence and by offering free information and advice.

It also runs eight shops in towns across Warwickshire, which raise money to help fund the cost of the charity's various services.

Wright Hassall will advise on issues relating to the shops along with other legislation which affects how the organisation operates.

Elizabeth Phillips, chief executive of Age Concern Warwickshire, said: We are a local independent charity, currently going through a period of change and to have a formal association with Wright Hassall is reassuring.

"We are beset by statutes, company law, charity law, Revenue and Customs, the Financial Services Authority and other types of regulations so we needed to have accessible solicitors who are well respected.

"We need that to make sure everything we do is legal and in order. Wright Hassall is an established firm with a long track record of advising charities, based in Leamington, and we are delighted to be working with them formally."

Age Concern Warwickshire expanded its operation in 2010 after receiving government funding to roll out its 'handyperson' service. Age Concern employ staff to visit the homes of over-50s to carry out small jobs, such as fitting grab rails, easing doors, repairing dripping taps and putting up shelves.

The charity also receives around 20,000 calls on an annual basis to its advice line from people across the county.

Mark Lewis, partner and charity law expert at Wright Hassall, said: "There are a lot of regulations in place which govern how charities go about their business and so we often find that guidance is needed to cut through them.

"Age Concern Warwickshire provides excellent services for the people in the area and as it continues to grow stronger we will be similar to a bolt-on legal department for any issues they need to address."

For more information about Age Concern Warwickshire services, call 01926 458100 or for more information about Wright Hassall please visit their website here: www.wrighthassall.co.uk