Thatcher + Hallam Solicitors have been holding a free legal surgery at their Island House offices in Midsomer Norton for an uninterrupted 35 years.

During that time, the firm estimates that they have helped out more than 12,000 clients. The surgery is believed to be one of the oldest continuous legal clinics in the whole of the country.

William Weller is the senior partner at the firm.

'We are intensely proud of our legal surgery and our commitment to helping the community over so many years,' says Will. 'The coronavirus has been extremely challenging for every business and like everyone else we have had to adopt and adapt.

'This means that we are no longer able to see clients face to face at our offices. Our usual Thursday evening legal surgery slot will therefore no longer be taking place. However, as with the rest of our business, we are determined to remain open for our clients and our community.'

As from this week, the Legal Surgery is going 'virtual' with clients being invited to contact the firm by email or telephone during normal office hours Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

Details of the enquiry will be taken and then passed on to the lawyer most suited to answer the query.

'There is no way that we were going to let our community down,' adds Will. 'The legal surgery has always been popular and at this difficult time it is important that we are here to offer legal advice at a time when people need it most. Now more than ever it is important that as a community we are here to help and support each other.'

During the next week or so Thatcher + Hallam will be streamlining how the surgery works and will announce those changes as soon as they are up and running. In the meantime, clients wanting to use the Legal Surgery should either email the firm at [email protected] or call 01761 414646 during normal office hours.