Rivalry revved up

The great 'automotive debate' has reached new heights in Birmingham as the Wilkes partnership gets one up on leading firm Wragges.

Obiter has discovered that, although the firm has more than 500 lawyers, compared with Wilkes' 64, when it comes to the ultimate Birmingham status symbol - driving to work in the shiniest new car - Wragges just doesn't measure up.

Neighbours Richard Haywood, corporate finance supremo at Wragges, and Wilkes' senior partner Nigel Wood, have been casting admiring eyes over each other's identical seven series BMWs as they pull out of their gravel drives, and when they draw up in front of their city offices.

Again, only a stone's throw away.

But the happy Reginald Perrin lifestyle was shattered when Mr Wood upgraded to a BMW 840.

Unfortunately, Mr Wood is still locked into a year-long contract on his 740.

This is believed to have driven Mr Wood to head to work at unseemly times in the morning.