J&K RECRUITMENT moved into new offices earlier this month due to increasing expansion.

The company, which specialises in recruiting staff for the care sector, was founded by 31-year-old Darren Lambert in May 2001.

It now has approximately 70 staff working as carers across Basingstoke, Winchester, Andover, Alton and Farnborough.

The rapid growth of the business saw Mr Lambert quickly moving it from his then home in Victoria Place, Basingstoke, to serviced offices in Worting House, in the town.

Now Mr Lambert, his wife Claire and their two young daughters have moved to Oakley - the village where he has spent £200,000 buying his own offices, in Meon Road.

He puts the secret of the success of J&K Recruitment down to his staff, saying: "We have quality staff who are committed, caring, conscientious and competent."

There is a never-ending demand for carers and support workers and Mr Lambert knows the demands of the job. He, too, worked for Social Services as a carer for 10 years, before setting up his own business.

His wife, who works alongside him, also has plenty of background knowledge as she was a child minder.

Mr Lambert said: "There is always a need for carers and, because of the nature of our work, it is flexible, so it fits in with family life."

Clients of J&K Recruitment include Social Services, Mencap, NCH Action for Children, SCOPE and the Loddon Alliance.

The company was a finalist in the New Business of the Year Award and Small Business of the Year Award at the Basingstoke Business Awards in March, when it boasted of giving 1,900 hours of care a week through its dedicated staff.