THE start of 2002 has been a record-breaking one for public sector jobs website, Sector1.net.

The site saw a big increase in user traffic amounting to 600,000 page views in January, the largest number recorded since it was launched in November 2000, by Middlesbrough communications business Pearsons.

It has had four million page impressions in the first year of trading, well above expectation.

On average 1,000 jobs are carried on the website each week covering vacancies within local government, education, health/NHS, police, fire and ambulance.

Simon Pearson, managing director of Pearsons, said: "Despite the fact that Sector1.net is operating in a difficult market place, the latest casualties being My Oyster and Stepstone, we are pleased that the site is generating a good response and providing clients with quality candidates."

The site contains everything from detailed job specifications and online application forms for direct contact with potential applicants, to multi-faceted html pages allowing for brochures to be placed online for easy access.

Lilian Hughes, head of e-communications at Pearsons, said: "From the outset our aim has been to provide a quality service that attracts the best candidates and ensures that they have easy-to-use access to the jobs on offer."