STAFF at Wiltshire's JobCentres have been celebrating the presentation of an award which recognises their high standards of customer service.

The Employment Service in Wiltshire and Swindon has been awarded its second Charter Mark from the Government.

Trowbridge JobCentre manager Jackie Callaway said: "It is very pleasing. The Charter Mark looks at the way we deal with customers and answer their calls and complaints."

The service won its first Charter Mark in 1997 but had to show it had made even greater improvements this time round.

Mrs Callaway said: "It was not just a matter of show us the same standards and we'll hand it over."

Standards for the county's JobCentres are closely monitored through performance figures and a mystery shopper scheme.

Mrs Callaway said: "People might be a bit surprised by how much we have to comply with stringent standards.

"The performance figures look at the number of vacancies we take and the number of people we get into jobs, and each month we have mystery shoppers.

"We get several telephone calls or visits and letters which we are scored on by an outside company."

The JobCentres also have boxes where people can make comments on how the service works. Mrs Callaway said: "We use any complaints to learn from. We have to respond."