FRIENDS will be friends - but not with Langleys solicitors, of York.

The unusual link between the law practice and Friends estate agency in Micklegate has now been severed in the friendliest of ways.

Langleys has sold the estate agency side of its business to a partnership headed by Friends' manager, Jane Paver, her husband, Langleys employee Colin, and Peter Clifton, of York-based PJ Clifton Financial Services, which continues.

The seven employed in Langleys property division will continue with Friends and there have been no job losses.

When Langleys first opened an office in York in 1987, the firm became the city's first one-stop property shop offering estate agency and conveyancing services under one roof and growth was rapid.

In order to consolidate its estate agency offering, Langleys bought Friends estate agency in 1994, describing it as Langleys, incorporating Friends.

Now, once again as an independent venture, the estate agency will be known simply as Friends and continues at Queens House, Micklegate but this time as Langleys' tenants.

Langleys says that the practice in York has grown so large it needs to concentrate on what it does best. Where it began with a handful of staff in its first office in Colliergate in 1987, now up to 90 are on the payroll.

Mike Williamson, joint managing partner of Langleys, said: "Our Lincoln office has been established since 1890, so the decision to set up a York office was a big step for us. The acquisition of Friends came about due to the phenomenal rate of growth that occurred quite literally from the day we first opened our doors.

"However, as the legal side of the business has continued to flourish and expansion looks set to continue, it has long been the firm's intention to sell off the estate agency in order to concentrate on our core business, the provision of legal services."

Jane Paver said: "We were delighted to have the opportunity to buy Friends and develop what is already a thriving business."