JUSTIN Parker is a happy man. But then, he has every reason to be.

Two years ago, at 27, he was made the youngest ever partner by solicitors Morton Fisher, in Kidderminster, where he heads the firm's property division.

Around the same time he took up his current post as musical director of award-winning Kidderminster Male Choir. Music, like work, is a major part of his life.

Justin began his musical career at the age of five, in a Wribbenhall church choir and by 16 was deputy conductor of the choir he now leads.

Under his stewardship, Kidderminster Male Choir - which has previously won a clutch of prizes at competitions - continues to go from strength to strength.

"In my first year as musical director, we did in excess of 30 engagements - we were very busy. Because of this we were raising a large amount of money for charity."

The heavy workload as well as the demands of his own burgeoning career means Justin has had to give up his role as lead tenor in Quattro Gento, the choir's barbershop quartet.

"Barbershop is quite different and technically difficult, but tremendously pleasing when you get it right," he says.

Much of his musical training was obtained at St Giles Church, in Reading, where he attended university. "The organist and choirmaster was fantastic and achieved such a standard that it made me work hard."

He adds though he never thought he might develop a professional career in music. "I've no illusions about my instrumental skills - I play the violin very badly.

"I enjoy singing and I enjoy conducting tremendously.

"I don't know if it would be so much fun if it was a job."

Other strings to Justin's bow include his work as an external examiner in property law at Wolverhampton University.

"It keeps me up to date with current practice and it's nice to have ties with the local university and to be able to give something back," he says.

In addition, he is an active Freemason, an organisation which, he says, many people have the wrong impression.

"It's as least as innocent as the Round Table. Rather than a secret society, it is a society which has some secrets," he says. "It does a tremendous amount of work for charity and it's great fun. I can't think of a nicer bunch of chaps to spend an evening with."

Bewdley born and bred, Justin's return to the town he grew up in, where he lives with his wife, Amanda, is clearly far from accidental.

"It would be a tremendous wrench to live anywhere else.

"I can be in Birmingham in half an hour or walk into the countryside. It's just a really nice place." No wonder he looks so pleased.