THREE budding solicitors have taken their first steps along their career route with law firm, Thursfields, which has offices in Kidderminster and Stourport.

Lisa Johnson joined the Stourport office just over a year ago as a legal secretary, while studying for her legal practice course. She said: "I enjoyed my initial role at the practice, so I was very keen to apply to Thursfields for a training contract to continue working here."

Tina Circus, who joined Thursfields' Kidderminster office, also as a legal secretary, in 2002, has likewise taken a legal practice course.

Sarah Cairns is a new recruit to the firm, having worked for the Law Society for the past three years. She will train at the Worcester office.

Sally Wilkinson, practice manager at Thursfields, said: "The opportunity to gain a training contract for those graduates seeking to become solicitors is increasingly difficult and Thursfields is always being approached by applicants seeking training contracts.

"Thursfields' normal protocol is to take on two trainees per year. However, this year, we decided to take on these three applicants."