A HOT topic for employers in Basingstoke is how to encourage a young workforce to stay and work in their home town.

And Andrea Pearson is a perfect example.

The 28-year-old was born and bred in Basingstoke and is committed to building her career in the town where she has her roots.

She is also backing the bid by town centre manager Kaye Cousins to encourage more people into the Top of the Town.

Miss Pearson is general manager of Caf Rouge, at the Top of the Town, which has just had thousands of pounds spent on a complete refurbishment to give it an authentic French style.

She said: "I've lived in Basingstoke all my life but I feel a lot of people don't recognise what the Top of the Town has got to offer.

"We have a loyal customer base and now we want to attract more people."

Miss Pearson studied leisure and tourism at Basingstoke College of Technology and started her career at Hampshire Centrecourt Hotel in Chineham, before moving into the restaurant business.

She said: "I love my home town and I am 100 per cent behind Kaye Cousins' initiative to promote Basingstoke.

"I like the idea of a modern Festival Place plus the traditional town.

"Basingstoke has changed and we need to get the message across."

At Caf Rouge, Miss Pearson employs 20 staff in full and part-time positions and serves between 800 and 1,000 covers a week, including party bookings.