Around 50 people are set to be made redundant after a north-east firm went into administration.

Swinburne & Jackson called in the administrators yesterday and staff members were told the news on the same day.

Gordon Goldie and Matthew Higgins from Newcastle firm Tait Walker have been appointed joint administrators.

The firm, believed to be around 250 years old, was headquartered in Gateshead and had offices in Hexham, Chester-le-Street, Washington and Ryton.

The firm offered most services but is understood to have dropped criminal and civil legal aid work some time ago.

A spokeswoman for the Solicitors Regulation Authority confirmed the regulator is aware of the closure and is working with the firm on an ‘orderly wind-down’.

According to LLP accounts filed with Companies House for 2012/13, the firm owed £674,866 to creditors within one year, and £125,365 in loans and other debts due to members.