An award-winning firm is going from strength to strength as it embarks on its latest recruitment drive.

Witney-based information technology company Snowdrop Systems now has a workforce of 150, having taken on 50 staff over the past two years, and is looking for 10 more to expand its operations still further.

Human Resources Manager Melanie Guy said the business was attracting people from London aiming to move from the capital for a better quality of life.

She added: “We have had a really positive response to this recruitment campaign and one we had last summer. In this area, where there’s practically full employment, many people commute to London, but we’re finding people that don’t want to do that.”

The rapid expansion of Snowdrop, which specialises in human resources software for major companies including pub firm Greene King, food chain Pret a Manger and Oxford-based motor group Hartwell, has been accompanies by industry recognition for its achievements.

In 2004 it was ranked in the Deloitte and Touche annual Fast 50 Technology Awards, a list of the 50 fastest growing technology companies in the South East.

Then last years it was voted among the 50 Best Small Companies to Work For in a survey by The Sunday Times.

Innovative staff initiatives include a Big Brother-style reward room, where staff can choose from a range of gifts such as paintballing days.

Ms Guy said the firm had undertaken a major staff review last year, which examined working hours and making it easier for staff to work from home.

Training courses are also available, for example in Spanish, allowing better links with the company’s site in Barcelona.

Other non-vocational courses include car maintenance, yoga and understanding the stock market.

Ms Guy said: “These courses are all free to staff – if there’s enough take-up for a particular course then we will offer it.”