PIERCE Chartered Accountants has advised on another multi-million-pound deal, taking its corporate activity past the £10 million mark this year.

The Blackburn practice advised Allen Surfacing, Allen Civil Engineering and FJ McGregor Plant Hire in their £.3.65 million sale to Stenoak Associated Services Plc.

Partner Simon Baxendale said the deal, which included legal advice from neighbouring solicitors Farleys, was further evidence of Blackburn's professional business community being able to compete on the corporate scene.

"The town's professionals are proving we are every bit as qualified to provide first rate advice as our City counterparts," he said.

"Not only are we providing local businesses with an expert, value-for-money service, but companies across the North West and the UK are now seeing Blackburn as a leading choice for financial and legal advice."

Ashgar Nazeri, managing director of the three companies sold, praised both firms' support. "It is important to have a strong team of financial and legal advisers when taking a company through a significant financial transaction, " he said.

"The advice we received from Pierce and Farleys was first class and their joint effort is a ringing endorsement for Blackburn's professional scene."

Earlier this year, Pierce advised Liverpool fashion guru Robert Wade-Smith in his £7 million re-acquisition of clothing retailer Wade Smith from Arcadia.