A WELL-known solicitor, who has been practising for 50 years, has been honoured for his long service and involvement in the community.

Gordon Jones, of Gordon Jones & Company, Rubery, was presented with a certificate yesterday (Tuesday) after 50 years in the law business.

Gordon first gained qualifications with a firm in his native Yorkshire before spending two years in Sheffield. He was then offered a position with Mr Goodman in Halesowen and Old Hill, where his desk consisted of orange boxes and a plank of wood.

In September 1964 Gordon was asked to open a Rubery office by JY Holt & Sellers.

He worked for them for ten years and became a partner in the business.

In 1974 Gordon decided to open a firm of his own and so began Gordon Jones & Company. The first office was over the Elite fish and chip shop in Rubery.

The firm went from strength to strength with Gordon having offices in Bromsgrove, Rubery and Droitwich.

Now the firm has only one branch in Rubery but has opened a solicitor Property Shop and a Dudley Building Society agency.

Besides his law firm, Gordon has also give his time to many events in the area, including the Rubery Carnival and the Belbroughton Scarecrow Weekend.

He is also a member of the Lickey Hills Rotary Club and a member of Bromsgrove Court Leet.

Gordon has even been a governor of local schools and recently sponsored a local football team.

Colleague Denise Watkins said: "To accomplish fifty years in practice is a great achievement."

Peter Wiseman, of the Birmingham Law Society, presented Gordon with his long service certificate.