A COUNTY law firm hoped to tip the scales of success by mailing 500 fish to rival solicitors.

Morton Fisher sent the plastic fish to top matrimonial lawyers across the UK to nudge them into taking advantage of its knowledge of family law and financial services.

Mark Thomson, head of financial services, said all matrimonial lawyers would be aware of the pension-sharing arrangements that became law on December 1, 2000.

"It's now a legal requirement for them to give clients contemplating divorce comprehensive advice on pension sharing," he said.

"As a law firm we're well aware of how complex the introduction of pension sharing has made financial settlements in divorce."

The bright yellow, black and blue fish told lawyers: "We are not angling for your legal work..." - it was their business the firm was after.

The reply-paid card concluded "like a good angler, we'll take care of your clients and put them back where we found them".

Mr Thomson said feedback had been tremendous.

The campaign was devised by Lynn Elson of Marketing Management.