A NEW recruitment agency has been set up in Malvern to help people over the age of 45 back into work.

Dinosaurs Unlimited aims to combat ageism in the workplace and provide small to medium-sized businesses with the wealth of experience and knowledge that a mature professional has accumulated over the years.

The concept has been widely accepted by many employers throughout the West Midlands and, increasingly, other parts of the UK and even overseas.

Now there seems to be a large demand for the service in Worcestershire and Herefordshire, as managing director Michael Argent explains.

"A dinosaur is an experienced and professional business executive who is likely to be over the age of 45 and has usually either been paid off, or made redundant from, a large company," he said.

"Due to mergers, downsizing, business failure or the age discrimination practised by some large multi-national companies, many senior and middle managers over the age of 45 find themselves out of work through no fault of their own.

"Once a dinosaur myself, I decided to do something about it to help get us back into the workplace where we belong.

"I actually registered with Dinosaurs Unlimited and decided it worked so well, I would set up a franchise here in Malvern.

"I ran a series of adverts in the local Press at the beginning of the year and have had a terrific response.

"There are a lot of people out there wanting to get back into work, but who just are not being given a break. I plan to turn all that around."

The firm caters for people from all employment backgrounds, and is not too strict on which age range it caters for.

Although predominantly for the older person, Dinosaurs Unlimited does have people in their 20s on its books.

"I cannot afford to discriminate because of the line of work I'm in," added Mr Argent. For more information log on to www.dinosaursunlimited.co.uk