Two former partners of law firm Merricks, Richard Whybrew and Keith Gaston, have set up their own Colchester-based property and subsidence law practice.

Gaston Whybrew already has insurance clients from both the composite and Lloyd's markets.

Whybrew said: "The initial reaction of the market has been very positive."

Gaston said: "For some time we have felt that subsidence cases in particular form too significant a part of the claims experience to be treated as bolt-onto personal injury work."

Nearly 75% of an estimated £300m a year in subsidence costs are caused by trees, often belonging to either the local authorities or next door neighbours.

Solicitors are employed to recover insurance costs from liable third parties.