THE regional director of an employment agency has reached the final of a prestigious competition to find the nation's best franchisee.

Steve Oborne started the Trowbridge branch of the Travail Employment Group in 1994 and the business has gone from strength to strength.

He is one of six finalists in the UK Franchisee of the Year 2002 competition, which attracted more than 200 branded companies.

The finalists had to make a presentation to a panel of five judges at the HSBC bank head office in London. The results will be announced at a gala dinner next month.

Travail Employment Group celebrates 25 years in the recruitment industry this month and the Trowbridge branch is currently top in the group for finding people permanent placements.

It is also the top branch in the technical and executive divisions, specialising in contracts that attract pay rates in excess of £20,000 a year.