FOLKESTONE is among the top 10 locations in the country when it comes to attracting staff for the call centre industry.

The town ranked number eight when contact centres -- call centres that also process Internet and other electronic requests for information, purchases or sales--were asked about the strengths of locations across Britain.

The national survey, carried our for Adecco, the world’s largest employment services company, asked for company executives' opinions of locations based on property availability, infrastructure, costs and workforce. OMIS Research, a leading independent UK based relocation and consultancy firm, conducted the survey.

Ninety-three per cent of executives surveyed said workforce issues were their first priority when it came to making decisions about business location.

John Foster, Shepway District Council's economic development manager, said: "This survey confirms Folkestone's position as a good location for the contact centre industry. Improvements to working conditions, pay and the desire for a higher quality of lifestyle for employees have led to a significant change in the way the industry is perceived.

"Despite increasing threat from overseas call and contact centre locations, it is encouraging to note that operators are far more positive now about the future of the industry in this country."