THE latest recruits at a customer services centre are proving that you are never too old to learn - or to start a new career.

Included in the recruits at EDF Energy, based in Doxford Park, Sunderland, are a number of advisors who feared their age would prevent them finding another job.

However, with the company's recruitment policies intended to give everyone a fair chance of employment, more mature workers are taking the opportunity to learn skills and bridge the generation gap.

EDF Energy's new starters include 51-year-old DEREK WRIGHT, from Murton, BILL MERCER, 49, from Seaham, 37-year-old DAWN WARREN, from Ryhope, and GLEN HEYDON, 34, from Seaham.

Mr Wright had recently been made redundant and thought that his working days were over until he attended an EDF Energy open day.

He said: "I had worked for my previous company for 38 years and I feared I would not work again.

"At my age, the thought of job applications and interviews was frightening, but I have come here, got a job and am now looking to the future with good prospects."

EDF Energy employs almost 1,100 people in the provision of a range of customer advice, billing and support services to more than five million electricity and gas customers nationwide.

* GNER has appointed SHAUN MILLS, currently finance director for Eurofighter GmbH, part of BAe Systems plc, as its finance director. He is due to join the high-speed train operator early next year. As well as overseeing the company's finance department, Mr Mills will assist in developing GNER's plans for an East Coast Main Line franchise and expansion elsewhere on the UK rail network.

A graduate of Salford University, Mr Mills, 44, qualified as a chartered accountant with KPMG before joining BAe in 1993.

* Financial advisor and insurance broker The BiB Insurance Group, has appointed financial advisor MARION WRIGHT to its expanding financial services team. She will be responsible for advising clients between York and Darlington on pensions, mortgages and investments.

Mrs Wright used to work for the BiB, but left two years ago when she moved to York.

* Clive Owen and Company's regional Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers has appointed KATIE ELSDON to its expanding team. She joins the owner-managed business support team at the firm's Darlington office, in Coniscliffe Road.

In her role, the Durham University graduate will work with more experienced members of Clive Owen and Company and will offer support to the firm's clients in a range of industries.

* The Sellick Partnership is continuing to strengthen its presence in the North-East recruitment sector with the appointment of another expert. SHERREE YOUNG has joined the firm to head its commerce and industry desk. Mrs Young has more than four years of experience in recruiting for major corporations across Tyneside and Teesside.

* Contract cleaning company Edwards Commercial Cleaning Services Limited (ECCS) has added to its rapidly growing team of staff with the appointment of OLIVIA DANCE as marketing manager. The 30-year-old, from Knaresborough, joins the team after relocating to Springwell Village.

* Stockbroker Brewin Dolphin Securities has made three senior appointments in its Newcastle office. MAXWELL MACDONALD, 38, has joined Brewin Dolphin's institutional sales desk. He has more than ten years of experience in small and mid-cap institutional sales, working for some of the UK's top-rated brokers in the City.

The firm has also appointed JON LIENARD and MICHAEL VASSALLO to its research team. Mr Lienard, 30, will specialise in the manufacturing and engineering sectors, and moves from KPMG. Mr Vassallo, 26, joins Brewin Dolphin from Ernst and Young, where he was responsible for auditing North PLCs such as SCS, Northumbrian Water and Go-Ahead.