A SOUTH West law firm is celebrating success after achieving a national award.

Stones Solicitors, which has an office in Okehampton, has for the first time, achieved recognition as an Investor in People.

The award system sets out a framework for the training, development and motivation of the staff within a business.

The achievement by Stones Solicitors reflects the effort the firm has made in the development of staff and the communication of the firm's vision so that the objectives set out in its strategic plan can be embraced by all the employees.

Stones human resources manager Lucy Palmer said: 'Stones operates a framework of modern people management where learning and personal development is embedded throughout the firm and everyone is encouraged to contribute new ideas towards the success of their team and the firm as a whole.'

Stones has also retained the Lexcel Practice Management accreditation for the ninth year running, and has been converted to a limited liability Partnership.

Paul Keeling, the firm's chief executive said: 'We are immensely proud of these achievements.

'Our further development throughout 2010 will continue with an overhaul of our computing systems and the introduction of a state of the art IT infrastructure that will enable us to further improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of our service delivery.'