Bath-headquartered Withy King and Royds have announced their intention to merge, creating a national firm with turnover in excess of £30m.

The merger, which will take effect on 1 September this year, will form a business with 450 staff including around 300 fee-earners.

The news follows a strong year for Withy King, which saw turnover rise from 12 per cent between 2014/15 and 2015/16, up from £21.8m to £24.4m.

Royds’ 2015/16 results are not yet available but the firm brought in £7.6m in 2014/15, placing it 199th in The Lawyer UK 200 2015.

The tie-up will strengthen the firm’s presence in London, where it currently has a small office. Details of the combined firm’s new name or structure are not yet confirmed, but Withy King managing partner Graham Street will retain his role.

Both firms have strong private client practices with Withy King also bringing a growing clinical negligence and personal injury group to the combination. Meanwhile Royds is particularly known for its litigation and property teams.

Street said the merger would bring “significant benefits” for both firms and their clients.

“We believe the merger will provide sustainable growth opportunities for our commercial and private client practices in current markets as well as in new and larger markets, both in the UK and internationally,” he added in a statement.

Royds managing partner Stewart Wilkinson said the merger presented the firm with opportunities to grow across its practice.