More than 100 people attended the launch of new law offices in Ipswich.

Ashtons Legal has moved to a new home at Portman House, opposite Ipswich Town Football Club's stadium.

Guests heard from Ashtons chief executive James Tarling and Ipswich office partner Janette Wand at the opening, held on July 13.

They were offered a tour of the building, which was built in 1921, and served as warehousing for cigarette maker Churchmans. The company remained in the town until the 1990s.

The unusually-shaped 'hairpin' building was renovated in the 2010s and was home to this newspaper for a few years. Its owner is Ipswich Borough Council through its Ipswich Borough Assets property arm.

Mr Tarling said: “It was a pleasure to welcome staff, clients, referrers and local business contacts to our new office location in Ipswich.

"In addition to offering excellent facilities for our clients, Portman House provides a better working environment for our staff, and is designed for the more flexible and collaborative way that we now work."

Ashtons employs more than 400 people across its offices in the East of England - including around 100 staff now based at Portman House after moving from the firm's previous home on Ipswich waterfront. Its other offices are at Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge and Norwich.

Ashtons - previously known as Ashton Graham and Graham & Oldham - was a tenant at Electric House in the town before moving to Waterfront House in 2005.