TWO businesses have teamed up to help those wanting to get on the property ladder.

York-based financial services company the THINC Group has forged a partnership with CPH Chartered Surveyors and Estate Agents in Scarborough. THINC will now provide an extensive in-house financial planning service for CPH and one of its consultants, John Arnold, will be based at the Scarborough firm.

Steve Pollard, a corporate account executive at THINC and the driving force behind the deal, said: "Financial planning is getting ever more complex, with more and more choice for the consumer. In the mortgage market alone there are more than 4,000 offers for people to choose from.

"Coupled with the fact there are very few people qualified to help and give guidance in these areas, it will be great for people to have someone to talk to about their current, past and future plans."

Mr Arnold, who is from Scarborough and spent many years at the town's Natwest bank, said he was looking forward to advising the people of Scarborough.

In the past, CPH has avoided offering this type of service, choosing instead to focus on buying and selling property.

But, over the last year, partners David Chapman and David Hastie have been looking to offer their customers something extra.

Mr Chapman said: "We have been looking for some time now for the right company and individuals to represent our business in providing not only guidance in the mortgage market but a full range of financial planning advice on things such as investments, pensions and inheritance tax.

"Having been involved in the property market for many years, we have long been aware that buying a house is a serious commitment and can affect people's financial plans and lives."

Updated: 09:52 Tuesday, June 22, 2004