WHEN Kate Alexander wanted to return to work after raising a family, the finger pointed firmly towards a career as a nail technician.

But you've got to hand it to the enterprising businesswoman, whose marketing skills helped shape a new career within a bustling Tottington health and beauty salon.

And Kate admits she owes a lot to JobCentre staff, whose fingers were certainly on the pulse.

Now, to mark their commitment to jobseekers, the eight JobCentres which make up the Employment Service's Bolton and Bury District have been awarded the prestigious Charter Mark.

This accolade is the country's top award for public service excellence. Each year, independent judges assess applications from thousands of public sector organisations from across the country. The judges were particularly impressed with the high degree of customer care extended to jobseekers, stating "in all cases, our assessors witnessed JobCentre users being treated courteously, sensitively and with their dignity respected".

And joining in the celebrations is single mum Kate (39), who can personally testify to the first-rate service that last year helped more than 11,000 jobless people into work.

Kate (39), had previously worked in sales, marketing and PR. Having targeted the health and beauty sector as an ideal area to re-establish herself, she turned to her local JobCentre for help.

She received funding for an Advanced Nail Technician diploma at Bury College, and cash to pay for her uniform, nail kit and travel expenses until she received her first wage.

After starting work as a part-time nail technician at the Barracuda Hair and Beauty Salon, Tottington, she impressed the owners with her flair for marketing.

When a vacancy arose for a business development and marketing manager, Kate seemed the ideal choice.

She is now manages seven staff and is responsible for marketing and co-ordinating promotional events and exhibitions.