The dot.com bubble has not burst and business is on the way up in Sussex, according to a new recruitment company.

Brighton-based Stride Recruitment has been set up by Hillary Adams and Rachel Henderson to help people find work in the new media industry.

The pair had worked with recruitment firms across Sussex for four years and noticed a growth in new media companies in the county, bucking the national trend. They decided to source skilled staff for these companies.

Miss Adams said: "There is a higher concentration of new media businesses in Brighton than in any other part of the country.

"The news is full of dot.com failure stories but in Sussex the opposite is true. There is a high density of new media companies with successful business operations.

"We commissioned a study of businesses in Brighton to make sure our plans for Stride were based on more than a hunch and the results showed evidence that local new media companies are consolidating their position in the market rather than being on the verge of collapse."

The study, carried out by Brighton research team SSAL, looked at the aspirations and trading status of Brighton-based new media companies. It showed established businesses and new players alike had invested in future development and were positive about their trading position.

Miss Adams added: "The major obstacle facing employers is finding people with relevant skills to develop business aims."

The company plans to find permanent placements for professionals with experience of sales, marketing, web design, internet development, PR and management.

Miss Henderson said: "The range of jobs we cover is a broad one. People should realise the skills they have developed in one part of the industry might be transferable to other firms with different agendas.

"We will be watching the local situation closely to be able to respond to the recruitment needs of the dynamic new media world."

Stride Recruitment is based in the Brighton Business Centre, Ditchling Road. Copies of the research are available on 01273 683688 or through the company's web site.

www.striderecruitment.com