Financial services firm Deloitte has welcomed more than 60 new starters to its Birmingham office over the past month which has taken total payroll there to 600 staff.

This latest intake is made up predominantly of graduates and school and college leavers recruited from across the region via its 'BrightStart' programme.

It represents a ten per cent increase on last year's student intake at the Brindleyplace-based firm.

Senior partner for the Midlands Chris Loughran said: "Future business leaders will come from a much more diverse set of backgrounds and experiences so we have to recognise that and have the right programmes in place to identify, attract and then support those individuals throughout their careers."

The BrightStart programme was launched nationally in 2012 to create a direct path into the business for high-achieving school and college leavers.

Since it began, more than 170 people have been recruited this way.

As in previous years, more than 50 per cent of graduates have come from various Midlands-based universities including University of Leicester, Birmingham City University, University of Birmingham, Aston University and Nottingham Business School.

Mr Loughran added: "Our business relies on the quality of the people we attract and retain.

"And at this time of year, I am inspired by the energy and creativity our fresh crop of recruits demonstrate. I look forward to helping them develop their careers with Deloitte."