ACCRINGTON firm Bensons for Beds are searching for a candidate to fill an unusual job vacancy.

The company is currently advertising an internal vacancy for what they call a posterior elasticity recovery technician or, as some have dubbed the role, a ‘bum tester.’

The PERT role will require an expert sit downer to perch on the edge of new deeper mattresses to test their comfort, support strength and springiness.

Chief operating officer Joe Wykes said: “All our mattresses go through rigorous automated testing to make sure the quality is top notch.

“But, as our customers know, nothing beats the human touch which is why we’ve invited applications from across the business to make an impression on the manufacturing process.”

The new role has been created to mark the arrival of Big Benson, a new sophisticated quilting machine used to manufacture deeper mattresses, at the company’s dedicated manufacturing site in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.

The machine, also known as the Mammut VMK, was created by Stutznäcker of Germany, and is the world’s most efficient quilting machine, using computer-controlled superfast multi-needle equipment.

Its purchase is the first major investment at the plant by Bensons following the company’s £25 million refinancing in June.

Mr Wykes said: “We’ve made a serious investment in Big Benson but thought it would be fun to create this temporary role to coincide with its arrival.”

Bensons posted details of the vacancy internally, including in its 200 stores inviting colleagues who are proud of their posterior to apply so their prized asset can be part of the product development programme.

The successful candidate will spend a day at the Huntingdon site where they will work cheek by cheek with factory colleagues trying out products.

They will also meet TV presenter Stacey Solomon who this year became the company’s first brand ambassador.