Two Yorkshire accountancy firms have merged to form a £12m powerhouse that sees the new outfit leapfrog its way into the Accountancy Top 60 firms ranking.

York-based Barron & Barron joined forces with independent chartered accountants Barber Harrison & Platt in Sheffield. The union will ensure a turnover nudging £12m with a 216-strong team based in offices across Harrogate, Sheffield, Leeds, York and Chesterfield.

Founded in 1893, Barron & Barron's staff - including partners, Guy Ward and Richard Bailey - will all transfer into the merged business, which will be known as BHP Barron & Barron.

Ward will be a partner in the merged firm while Bailey will continue as a tax and landed estates consultant.

BHP managing partner, John Warner, said: 'The success of our merger in 2011 with Mitchells in Leeds and Harrogate has encouraged us to expand further into North Yorkshire. Barron & Barron is a very well respected firm in York and has specialist niches that fit in very well with our own expertise.

'The additional services we can offer to both their existing client base and to other local businesses will enable BHP to build upon its reputation as the key independent business advisory firm in Yorkshire'.

Barron & Barron partner, Guy Ward, said: 'We identified BHP as an ideal firm to merge with, enabling us to continue to provide a full business advisory service to our client base. We share the same belief in the absolute importance of client care and look forward to building upon our established position within the North Yorkshire market.'