SEVENTY new jobs are up for grabs in Droitwich in one of the town's biggest ever recruitment drive.

The posts are being created by The Mortgage Group, a mortgage advice centre, which is being officially opened today.

The centre, which is based in George Baylis Road, recently took on 30 new staff.

It is now aiming to recruit 70 more in the next four to six weeks, providing a huge boost to the town.

The call centre will be the third of its kind in the country. It will cover the whole of the Midlands region, from Lincoln to South Wales.

The group aims to offer expert advice to people who are finding it difficult to step on to the property ladder.

They are one of the UK's leading specialist brokers of loans, mortgages and remortgages, and have more than 20 years of experience in the industry.

Official opening

Droitwich mayor Terry Spencer is conducting the official opening today, along with Mortgage Group sales manager Chris Cartwright.

"So far, the calibre of people applying to work for The Mortgage Group has been excellent," said Mr Cartwright.

"But we are still looking forward to taking on even more staff."

The company already employs 450 people in Cornwall and is aiming to double its total workforce within the next few weeks.

Managing director Tony Murtagh said the company's rapid growth since its formation in July 2000 was due to the fact that traditional banks and building societies had neglected the high number of individuals who did not "stack up" financially in the banks' opinion.

Anyone interested in working for the company should call Mr Cartwright for further information on 01905 825 863.