An all-woman law firm will celebrate its first year in business with a bang this week after it was given the thumbs-up from the public sector.

Staff at martin searle solicitors have won three quality marks, allowing them to give publicly-funded legal advice on housing, community care and employment law.

The approval rating, granted by the Legal Services Commission, was a big step for the Brighton-based firm, which describes itself as a community practice.

Director Cate Searle said: "At a time when other law firms are giving up publicly-funded law work as it is not deemed profitable enough, this demonstrates our genuine commitment to the community as a whole."

Co-director Fiona Martin said: "When we set up martin searle solicitors we did so with a vision of an entirely new style of law practice, one that would offer quality and affordable help to all parts of the community.

"We're delivering on that original vision. martin searle solicitors is a friendly practice that works hard on clients' behalf."

The firm, of Marlborough Place, has won national recognition for its campaigning work on employment rights for pregnant women.

June 2, 2005