SOUTHAMPTON accountants HWB are to merge with Romsey rival Rossell Hicks.

After months of negotiations, the Rossell Hicks name will disappear from December 1, with all nine employees joining to take HWB's total workforce to 70.

Established in 1988 Rossell Hicks specialises in business advice and taxation together with private client work. Its two directors Headley Rossell and Mike Hicks will join HWB as consultants.

HWB managing director Alan Williams, pictured, said: "Rossell Hicks is a long-established and very respected practice and its merger fits well with our drive to grow the business largely through organic means, but also through strategic mergers.

"The firm has a strong corporate client base, but also a thriving private client division, providing great synergy for us.

"We are now looking forward to welcoming the new team and helping them to settle in our offices so that we can all work in a fully integrated way."

Headley Rossell said: "We are delighted that we will be able to extend the range of services we are able to offer to our long-established client base, and also provide excellent career opportunities for our staff."

HWB has been established for more than 20 years, specialising in the SME market.