SWINDON is fast becoming a centre of creative marketing excellence, according to Penny Bowen, director at marketing and communications company Semaphore.

"A significant number of national and international companies have located their headquarters in the town and Swindon's creative community has risen to the challenge."

With such Swindon-based companies as Zurich, Plantronics, Zimmer and W H Smith, as well as charities such as Crime Concern working regularly with Old Town-based Semaphore, it's the talent that matters, according to Penny, not the location.

"Businesses in Swindon no longer need to look outside the town for first class marketing because we've proved that it's right on their doorstep."

But to retain and impress their clients, Swindon marketing companies must continue to push the creative barriers and Semaphore has adopted the technology to be able to develop high quality campaigns for its clients either traditionally or across the Internet.

"Our biggest investment over the last two years has been in our web development capabilities and our staff,"said Penny.

Semaphore is marking 10 years in business this year and to celebrate is offering a free marketing and Internet health assessment.