LAW firm Lester Aldridge is to axe up to 15 jobs and slash its Southampton office by a quarter.

Bosses have ordered a major restructuring of the firm, with four departments moving from Southampton to its headquarters in Bourne-mouth.

The firm's licensing department is shutting down completely after work relating to changes to the law a year ago dried up.

A statement from the company said: "It is the task of law firm management to ensure that a firm remains well-positioned and robust. In the main, adaptations are welcome but sometimes there is a cost.

"LA has come to the conclusion that, sadly, a small number of job losses are required if the business is to be well-positioned for the future.

"This is likely to be in the region of 12-15 roles across all offices out of a total staff of over 360.

"Wherever possible, LA is offering redeployment opportunities and where this is not possible, will be offering outplacement support."

After the restructuring, LA's Carlton Crescent office will have 38 workers, down from the current total of 50.

It is too early to say how many of the redundancies will come from Southampton.

Asset finance, banking, corporate and private client teams will move along the coast, leaving marine, property, planning, retail, corporate finance and insolvency.

Roger Wooley, LA managing partner for the past six years, has transferred to Southamp-ton from the Bournemouth office, while Southampton's head of dispute resolution Michael Giddins has gone the other way and now heads the firm.

He said: "Our firm has altered considerably over the last few years and we need to continue to take steps forward.

"Regrettably, some of the steps associated are not easy. Our staff are core to our business, and we are working diligently to make sure that those whose roles are affected are supported in whatever way we can.

"It may not seem obvious but this move is about being able to offer opportunities for our staff and for our clients which our market place is now expecting."