THE National Trust has begun recruiting staff for its new Swindon operation.

Some of the Trust's London activities have recently been switched to temporary accommodation at Kembrey Park.

In late 2004 or early 2005, almost the whole operation will move to purpose-built premises near the Designer Outlet Village in Churchward.

At that time, it will close offices in Westbury, Melksham and Cirencester.

When the move was announced last August, there were protests from London staff.

One was quoted in a national newspaper as saying: "I abhor Swindon I will just get another job."

But the tide seems to be changing.

The trust is currently advertising in the national press for an assistant director of communications to work in Swindon for a salary of up to £34,000.

Inga Grimsey, project manager for the move, said: "At the beginning, it was a bit of an issue for some people because moving from London to Swindon was a bit of a lifestyle change.

"For some of the staff, it was not an easy issue to have to face up to."

Ms Grimsey revealed that London staff had been taken in parties to visit Swindon, and were given information packs full of information about what the town had to offer.

She added: "More people have expressed an interest in going to Swindon than had previously.

"I think more of them realise that it is a very nice place to be."

Swindon Council was heavily involved in selling the town to the National Trust workforce.

The then mayor, David Cox wrote an open letter to the staff in which he said: "Please do not believe every-thing you hear about Swin-don.

"It may not compete with the excitement of living in London.

"But then we have lower house prices, less crime and cleaner air.

"Swindonians are proud people and they have a right to be."

The charm offensive is continuing, with the Magic Roundabout currently sporting a banner wel-coming the National Trust and its staff to the town.

But it will not be until the final move in about 30 months' time that most of the London staff will have to decide whether they wish to swap London for Swindon.