Shelter Scotland's chief solicitor Jennifer Laughland has joined the Govan Law Centre in a hire principal solicitor Mike Dailly says is a coup for the centre.

"This recruitment of Jennifer Laughland strengthens our ability to deliver specialist legal services to prevent homelessness in Scotland," he says.

"This appointment along with our three new trainee solicitors posts means we are in a good position to meet the increased demand for high quality social welfare law services during the economic downturn'.

Laughland will head up the centre's new pan-Ayrshire Homelessness and Prevention Service, designed to prevent mortgage repossession across Ayrshire. It will be launched by the Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon MSP.