RECRUITMENT agency LMR has recruited a Polish consultant.

The Newton Aycliffe agency has appointed AGNIESZKA GIELAK to find qualified workers for positions at companies across the region.

LMR's branch operations manager Elaine Shears said: "We've discovered that a lot of Polish people who are highly trained are currently working in jobs that do not require qualifications.

"Agnieszka has been able to match them with companies that require those skills and qualifications, which has resulted in some very happy clients and candidates."

LMR has recruited welders, drivers and mechanics, which are in high demand due to a shortage in the trade.

Ms Shears said LMR adopted a strict candidate vetting procedure to ensure that every job applicant was permitted to work in the UK, which involved checking visa documents, ringing former employers and making other background investigations.

Ms Gielak has been joined by WENDY ORTON, who has also been appointed as a recruitment consultant, while CHARLOTTE CARNEY has become the company's administrator.

* Universal Building Society has hired ANGELA EDWARDS as a marketing manager.

With more than 11 years marketing experience, Ms Edwards' career includes seven years in campaign management at software company Sage.

She has also worked at Knowledge Futures, promoting product innovation in the region and mobile phone company Orange, as well as three years in an advertising agency after graduating from the University of Northumbria with a BSc in Business Information Systems.