Lodge and Thomas has welcomed a new rural practice chartered surveyor and land agent to its Truro office.

The firm, which also acts as valuers, estate agents and auctioneers, has taken on Ross Collins.

Mr Collins was born and bred at Port Isaac in North Cornwall, where his parents keep a small flock of around 80 ewes.

He lives in the village with his Cumbrian wife Sarah, who he met at university.

In 2004 he gained a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in rural estate management from the Seale Hayne faculty of the University of Plymouth and has since gained eight years' rural surveying experience in Cornwall, qualifying as a chartered surveyor.

Mr Collins said he was looking forward to helping clients old and new in areas such as professional landlord and tenant work, lettings involving agricultural as well as residential property, valuations, compulsory purchase / easements / wayleaves, Environmental Stewardship Schemes, Single Payment Scheme and Rural Payments Agency matters.

He is particularly keen to expand the residential letting services offered by the firm.

Mr Collins added: “I am delighted to join such a well known and respected Cornish firm with a tremendous history and such a wide and diverse client base.”