SALARIES in telesales have increased by nine per cent over the past 12 months according to the latest research from Mandeville Sales, part of the Mandeville Recruitment Group of Taplow.

The average salary for a telesales position for vacancies filled by Mandeville in the first six months of 2000 was £14,484, compared to £15,804 in the first six months of this year.

Richard Holliday of Mandeville Sales said: "Demand for outstanding telesales staff is as high as ever. Competition for these people is fierce and salaries reflect the fact that companies must pay more to attract and retain the right calibre of person. Good people are snapped up very quickly."

Mandeville Recruitment Group is offering retail management students at Oxford Brookes University the chance to have a trial-run in the world of marketing.

A special award of £250, a certificate and the chance to work with Mandeville will be given to the student presenting the best dissertation in the next 12 months at the business school at Oxford Brookes.

Peter Shrimpton, general manager of Mandeville Retail, a division of the recruitment group, said the award would give students an incentive.