PETTY estate agents have taken on three apprentices and three others members of staff.

Fiona Head has become the new property inspector for the letting section at the Burnley-based business.

Kirsty Donovan has become the new sales negotiator in the Colne office and Scott Taylor is the new trainee surveyor within the commercial section of the business.

Zoe Parkinson, 18, has been taken on as an apprentice property manager, Rebecca Westwell, 19, has become an apprentice administrator and Isobel Heap, 17, will be an apprentice sales negotiator in Colne.

Ian Bythell a director at the estate agents, said: “Demand in our area within the commercial, residential and lettings sectors means we always have to stay ahead of the game and ensure we have the right staff to service that demand.

“We take training and staff retention very seriously and see investing in our employees as well as in the whole company.

“As the area's only recognised member of the Relocation Agents Network it’s vital we recruit and retain the right staff.

“This demonstrates to staff that we want to help them develop their careers, but is also reassuring to our customers who know that we focus on our unique levels of service and offer them greater continuity.”